HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2480, 2 June 1888, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

FRIDAY. Thr House met at 2.30 p.in. QUESTIONS. Replying to questions it was stated that steps would be taken to avoid changes in text hooks in primary schools as much as possible. That the Government had received no information as to the number of dustituta single men in Christchurch, who weru compelled to sleep in the park. That the Government would be glad to levy a special .tax on absentee land owners if any satisfactory means were found of doing so. That it was not proposed to discontinue either of the Ocean Mail Services to Great Britain. That the question of calling for tenders from all the banks in the colony when needing money would receiveconsideration. That the question of restoring the working average in lieu of strict average in computing the allowance to each school would shortly come before the House for final settlement. That the Auctioneer's Bill would bs introduced this session. That no general order had been given to reduce the wages of men m the railway workshops by Is per day. THE TARIFF. Mr Ormond said that having looked through the tari IF, he was of opinion that before proceeding to discuss the tariff itself the House should get an opinion as to thA principal features of the financial policy of the Government as laid down in the Financial Statement. He would move on going into Committee of Supply, " That, with the view of reducing the taxation shown by the Financial Statement to be necessary if certain services are continued, this House is of opinion :—First, that the school age be fixed at six years, so that the saving named by the Colonial Treasurer, viz., £25,000, may be thereby sccured. 2. That the payment of subsidies to local bodies be abandoned in order that a saving of the duty proposed to bs raised on tea may be secured.. 3. That in the present circumstances of the colony the raising of additional revenue to the extern of £">B,OOO for two year? by the imposition of a primage duty is inexpedient, and that the deficit for last year should bo added to the funded debt. He concluded by asking when it would be convenient for the Premier to take the discussion.

Sir H. Atkinson said the resolution of the member for Napier was a very good one, and it would undoubtedly claar the way for the consideration of the tariff question. He should be glad, if the House desired it, to tiike the discussion at half-past seven that night. A lengthy discussion ensued, Messrs Seddon, Downie, Stewart and Ballance contending that the motion was one of no-confidence.

Mr Fitchett asked whether the motion was an inspired ono. After further debate, Mr Ormond said that after carefully considering tho tariff, lie had intimated to the Premier that morning that he would move those resolutions. and the Premier did not. object to that course. He (Mr Ormond) had no desire to embarass the Government in any way. Sir H. Atkinson said he was not ashamed to ascertain the opinion of the House in tho way proposed by the member for Napier in order to get the country out of its difficulties, and to see that no necessary taxation was imposed. He hoped the discussion would be carried on outside party feelings, and that the House would consider it as dispassionately as possible. Sir H. Atkinson introduced the Customs Duties Hill which was read the first time, and the House rose at 5.30 p.m. The House resumed at 7.30. The Reporting Debates Committee recommended that the debate on the Contagious Diseases Act llepeal Bill should not be reported in Hansard. Mr Barron moved that directions be given accordingly. The ladies having retired from the gallery. Sir G. Grey opposed tho motion. Sir John Hall drew attention to tho presence of strangers, and the Speaker put the question that they be ordered to withdraw ; ayes, 42; noes, 29. The galleries were then cleared. The discussion on the subject lasted two hours.' . ■ An amendment to admit tho Hansard reporters waß lost by 42 to 32. Mr Barron's motion excluding the report of the debate on the Bill was then carried by -12 to 31. The House then resumed in open session at 51.10. The Premier said if the House desirod it the financial debate could come on at this staee. Mr Lance said that as the necessary information was not before them his side of the House desired that it should be postponed. Mr Seddon said he disagreed with Mr Lance, who had spoken without consulting all his party. Messrs Fish and Reeves, (St. Albans), said Mr Lance was the proper mouth-pieco of the Opposition. Sir H. Atkinson said he too thought the request for the adjournment reasonable, and had no objection to it. Mr Mackenzie said it was absurd to go on when the estimates were not before them. It was then agreed that the financial debate should be adjourned till Tuesday. • The Premier moved a resolution, ijffirining the desirability of a delegate attending the Chinese Conference at Sydney, and that the best solution of the difficulty would be a treaty between China and Britain similar to that with America. After some discussion the Premier said he was willing to promise to instruct the delegate, if the Conference considered the Poll-tax, to vote for not less than £30. Sir G. Grey thought it would bo better to leave our hands unfettered as much as possible. Tho resolution, as amended, was tlieu agreed to. w The House adjourned at 10.30.