POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3126, 28 July 1892, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL OOIHIKSPONnENT. Wellington, Last Night. THE NEW TAXATION.

A curious discussion arose in the House this afternoon over a petition presented by Mr Saunders from a number of Canterbury farmers against tho taxation proposals of the Government, The petition was of great length, and after it was read by the Clerk, Mr Saunders niovud that it be printed. This gave rise to a lengthy debate, in the course of which Mr Ballance said that the petition emanated from a Conservative association, but he did not object to its being printed. Mr Rollestnn replied to this by saying that if mon who signed the petition were Conservatives, then every producer in New Zealand, must be described an " belonging to a Conservative association." Mr Fergus remarked that one of the signatories (Mr McMuillaa) was an ardent supporter of the Premier, and so were other*. This petition simply emanated from representative fanners of Canterbury. The MiuisttT for Public Works said the petition was signed by men banded together to secure the repeal of the Land and Income Tax. Capt. Russell expressed the opinion that Mr Sedclon had not yet learned that silence was golden, as the implication of his speech was, that because a petitioner was a Conservative firmer, he should not be allowed to approach the House—a privilege accorded to the maanest criminal. Mr Ballance, he said, had once described himself ai the natural enemy of the farmers. Mr Seddon's speech further left the impression that it had been necessary for these farmers to approach the House by a back way—one of the so-called Liberal party—so as to gain a hearing. After discussion, Mr Hogft, a strong Government supporter, moved tho petition be referred to the Printing Committee, but this wa3 lost, Mr Sounder's motion for printing the petition being carried by 42 to 28. The Government were bound to vote for the motion, as by doing otherwise they would show an unmiatakeable hostility to the country settlers. The fiery speech, however, made by the Minister for Labour attacking Mr John Origg, Mr Jno. Holmes and other well known gentlemen wha eisned the petition drew fmm Mr Clutha MacKenzie tho retort that Mr Reeves' remarks should be quite sufficient to convince the country settlers as to what they might expect from the present Government.

SERVING TWO MASTERS. The Government were severely taken to task by Mr Fergus during the debate that ensued on Mr Duthie's question respecting the route for the North Island Main Trunk Railway. Mr Fergus said Ministers were simply playing with a most important question, a question which should on no account be left to be haggled over by private members on contending sections, but which being a national question should be dealt with by the Government as representing the country, Ministers, however, were not bold enough for that, they were serving two masters, they would not offend the one and were afraid to offend the other. Several other speakers expressed similar views.