HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2667, 15 August 1889, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

WEDNESDAY. The Hon.se met at 2.30. Sir H. A. Atkinson, replying to questions said tin; Government had replied to the telegram-) received from the Premiers of the several colonies, promising to assist in procuring responsible Government for Western Australia but the Government objected to tl'.e northern part of Western Australia being handed over to the Government of that colony. Sir H. A. Atkinson moved that for the rem'inder of the session Government business take precedence of all other basiness on Thursdiys after 7.30 p.m. After some discussion the motion was agreed to by 30 to 22. Mr Blake renewed the debate on the second reading of the Property Assessment Bill, lie condemned the Property-tax, and intended voting for the amendment. Mr Samuel had not changed his opinion as to the oppressive nature of the PropeityUx, but on the direct issue before the Koine he was compelled to vote for the Bill. „ , ~ Mr Kerr thought the Property-tax could be made more acceptable to tho country than at present. Mr Goldie said the colony was really governed by the Civil Service, and proceeded at length to criticise the Service, lie intended voting for the amendment. The House rose at 5.30. The House resumed at 7.30. Dr. Newman did not agree with tho amendment, which was only fit for a debating society. He criticised the 1 inancial Statenient and the way in which the loans of the colony were raised. Mr Reeves (St. Albans) thought the debate would have been far more, useful and interesting if it had been taken in the usual manner, instead of in such a consolidated fashion as was now being carried on. If it were carried it would mean the destruction of the Property-tax, a tax that was oppressive and injurious to the colony. Mr MeKenzie (Clvitha) said if the present Government were romoved from office, it would result in disaster to the colony, as they had raised the credit of the colony at Home, and had initiated a thorough system of retrenchment, which must have a miod effect. Any change in the incidence of taxation would have an equally bad effect as a change of Ministry. A Land and Income-tax- was infinitely more disastrous in its effect than the Property-t-ix. It was a right thing to maintain the Government in office, but wrong to intetfere with the incidence of taxation. Mr G. K. Richardson moved the adjournment of the debate. Agreed to. The House rose at 10.40.