THE TAXATION PROPOSALS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2977, 13 August 1891, Page 2

THE TAXATION PROPOSALS.

A strong attem|jt will be made to push the remaining portion of the Land and Income Tax Bill through Committee tonight. The Premier exjiressed himself quite satisfied with the progress made with tho Bill last night but it is curious to notice that almost without exception tho Government side of the House have taken scarcely taken any jiart in the Committee proceedings on the Bill, nearly the whole of tho amendments and general criticism coming from the Opposition. Several of the amendments made by leading Oppositionists have been decided improvements in the measure of the Land Bill. The Waste Lands Committee has concluded its consideration of theLind Bill, which will be committed as as soon as tho L-.nd and Income Tax Bill has been disposed of. Amongst other til terations made in the Bill, are the following:—The Constitutional cash purchase system, as jirovided in the original bill was retained, the proposals of the Bill regarding deterred payment land were struck nut, and tho law left as it is at present. The abolition of the purchasing clauses in the perpetual lease system, as proposed by the original Bill, was retained, as were also the jn-ovision extending the term of the first lease to fifty years, and reducing the rato of rent from 5 per cent to 4 per cent on the capital value. Tho clause reducing the minimum jirices of all classes of land by from 3 to oO jier cent below the previously existing rates was retained, as was also tho one-man-one-vote clause. It was decided that double improvement should no longer exempt a selector from residence. It was also decided that uo dealing in land by trustees should bo permitted. Tho Auckland homestead system and the Nelson leasing system were abolished. The wlmlo of the clauses in regard to native lands were struck out. The clauses of the Act of ISSS in regard to the education reserves, which had been omitted from the original Bill, were inseited by the committee.

Till: KKUMADKC SKTTLKIIS. The Public Petitions C oninifee reported yesterday on the petition of Septimus Bacon a lid others, of Pahiatna, which stated that tho petitioners were in consequence of reports published by tho Government induced to join an association which was formed to settle the Kermadec Islands, the report being erroneous, and tho jietitioners hpin" put to considerable expense, wherefore they |>rayed for relief. The _ Public Petitions Committee repot t tho jietitioners havo no claim on the colony.

GOVKRNMENT FXPENDITURK. It appears from a return laid on the table on the motion of tho Hon. Mr Richardson, that tho ordinary revenue and expenditure in the aunual appropriation and consolidated fund for the months of July l'J'.lt and 1800 respectively was as follows:— Revenue: 1801, £30t,8f)8 Us 3d; IS9O, £272,790 Is Id. Expenditure : 1801, £181,150 0s lOd ; 1800, £103,411 9s 101