PARLIAMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2666, 13 August 1889, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. (by tki-hghaph.—fkkss association). MONDAY. The House met at 7.30 p.m. Mr Jiallance reßinned the debate on the second reading of tlie Property Assessment Bill. He said that during the recess the Premiei had found at Auckland and Napier that the Property-Tax was not acceptable, and he was not, therefore, surprised that an amendment had been moved reviewing the Financial Statement. He said that the colony was told that its credit had greatly improved, but he thought that was partly due to the fact that not so many people at Home were crying down the colony. As to the surplus the Treasurer had had several windfalls, though he did not carp at this, and thought the Treasurer should be congratulated on it. He denied the tariff produced as much revenue as was expected, but hoped the tariff would not be interfered with for some years. He thoaght a saving might be effected on the Education vote, especially on native school?. The demand for land had enormously increased, as the price had materially lessened, but thore was nothing like the same settlement last year as had taken place In ISBG under tho previous Government. Ha regretted no provision was made for labour settlements, and that no more encouragement had been given to village settlers. With regard to immigration, the Government had failed to introduce into the colony a desirable class of farm capitalists, and he complained that nothing was being done to encourage small settlements. Mr Saunders approved of the Bill. Referring to the Financial Statement he said nearly all our public men were resixmsibte for the present condition of the colony. The colony had one of the most incapable tinaucial Governments that could possibly be found, and there appeared to be no prospect of the colony ever stopping borrowing. Notwithstanding the increase in the price of the products of the colony, tho customs and railways had fallen below the estimates. The truth was the railway charges are so high that traffic was driven from them, and population was leaving the colony. This is due to the burden of taxation and debt. He deprecated cutting down the education vote. He thought if fifty per cent, was taken off all classes of employees of tliG Government, there would still be plenty of men left to do all tho work required. Another economy which he advocated was disfranchisement of the city of Wellington, which would result in large indirect saving. He also favoured raising the school age to six years with an allowauco to country children. Mr Verrall advocated a state bank. Dr. Hodgkinson movod tho adjournment of the debate. Agreed to. The House rose at 11.45,