PARIAMENTARY.

Inangahua Times, Volume X, Issue 1571, 8 July 1885, Page 2

PARIAMENTARY.

W--U_g_s_, July 8. The Minister of Pnblic Works said, answering Guinness, that Grovornaient bad made enquiries at to placing a sasl on the estimates to rcdtc the I fire consuming a valuable seam of coal at Ten^Mile Creek, in the Brunnerton district . J. S. M'Kentie introduced ahi 1 to amend the Beetroot Sugar Act, 1884 ; and Seddon one to amend the Auctioneers _nd Brokers Bill The debate on Uie Financial proposals was continued by Garrick, who supported the Government rather strongly, although reserving the right tofhticise the Policy Measures and the Customs Tariff. He suggested to take off tbe £500 exemption from the property tax. J. B White strongly opposed Government, holding that their sole idea was to borrow. Conolly followed, opposing the Government ; and Cowan suggested a modification. Macandrew gave notice to move on Tietday next, that a respectful address ( be transmitted to the Governor to tbe effect that he may be pleased to call the attention of Her Majesty's Imperial Government to 'the necessity for a fresh marine survey of tlie coast of New Zealand, and on a more minute scale than -ppears on the charts at present ; also that His Excellency be requested to inform the Imperial Government that this colony wijl, if necessary, be prepared to place at the disposal of the Admiralty th* services of ; the Hinemoa and Stella and other I suitable vessels. I Peacock presented a petition signed, by 6137 . inhabitants of Auckland against the employment of barmaids. Moaat . aiso presented a similar petition. In the House this evening, Cowan, continuing the financial debate, tirongly condemning the tariff as calculated to press with undue weight on the agricultural interest, a Men at present was in anything but a flourishing condition. He was a supporter of the Government on the promise that tbey modified their proposals. Steward spoke in a similar strain, arguing that Government would do a great deal towards the prosperity of the country if they bought up large quantities of land and sold it in small holdings. Fergus denonnced the Ministry fiercely, but said he would not vote against them now, as their ark of inequity was not full yet Yogel commenced about midnight, speaking in clear tones, and in reply to the various speakers. Referring to an observation by Fisher, he stated that Government had spent large sums of . money in the city of Wellington, and would be glad if Fisher oould show them how the decrease in all other colonies was following in the footsteps of New Zealand, which would soon not occupy the distinguished position of being the most heavily burdened country in the world. Dr Newman also wanted retrenchment whilst always coming to the House for an increase of salaries of the civil servants and money for public buildings for the city. Referring to the Legislative Council, he hoped the equilibrium would be brought about by natural laws, which created roars of laughter. He defended the Premier against the attack made by Menteath, stating that the best remedy was for Menteath tb modify bis views. Referring te protection, he said that the decline of the mercantile marine of America was attributed to the fact that the Yankees with their usual cuteness preferred using British vessels, because they were carrying more cheaply than Americans could. It was well-known tboimiriiods and millions of money were lost "(taring the last quarter of a. century by British shipowners. Speak-' ing of Montgomery, he likened, him to a young man who said be liked tea, but pr_t_fred whisky. So, ha liked the Ministry, but preferred Oppomtioa. Whatever the boo. member did, whether he went into Opposition or noi, he believed thai he would still

retain hia character for high minded Bto__nßanahip, which all sectiona of the House were ready to ace- **d him.* He justified tbe reduction of the Property Tax last year by stating, tliat it was akin to the same tax in England" and was liable to rise or f.ll according to the exigencies of the colony. Reply ing to Moss, whom he descriri.i as th. Hon. member who floats ir space, he said he had been declaring fr tlio Ust twenty yean that the co__»y v,- c -uW be swallowed np by an eartbqaafc?. TU_ hon. member for Selwyr* ( Wakeftel i; had a fragmentary tort of kn,w! J^r . gained from the loading article?. Rfc? imagined a great deal without y-.rjt te> tbe bottom tf Ac subject, and 'h\iL given the House the beoafit of v try grain of knowledge which he possessed on the tahjeel The time would come wljen America would be a freeirade •natioj- whan suitable conditions arose ; so it would in New Zealand, but none of ns would ba left in it Throogli protective duties France waa going to , absorb Belgium, Germany, aid Holland. Canada was in the Tart throes until 187&, when she adopted protective duties. Victoria was aa prosper hrn aa aora*. other; colonies Here the reverie, whilst . having more population to the square mile than any other colony. He was unable to ace that the tariff was being opposed by any large section of the community. Incrtaaing tlie duty from. 10 to 15 per cent, resold in large outputs and higher dividends at the wollen factories. If increneed to 17| or 20 per cent imparted articles would be driven out altogether, H. quoted a telegram from Halhmtteia bearing ent his statement on the ritrof 15 per cent. Regarding the eeal duty, Gevernmentwoakibp prepared to r. Mit tbe 2s per ton, but the tame would oome when tbe colony week, ex tact a small dnty from the imported coal. Did boa*. _*mbers knew that every ton of coal Catered for Loudon had to pay n small duty. Tea was not a a__tie_la_y*^^leirj_te beverage, ard those wfee drank it could well afford to pay tie __tr. New Zealand raised a smaller proportion by euttoms than any colony except Victoria. The figure for 1882 were— Victoria, 75 78 j New Zealand, 75-79 ; New Booth Wales 8121; Sooth Aartralta, 93-tt ; Western Australia, 89 ; Tasmania, 77-79. He continued speaking until 1,907 p.m., his voice still strong. Wakefield will very likely speak, and perhaps wind up the debate. Atkinson was greatly n'-Pffttiated . with the speech of the Treaeerer He had treated the matter with abaorat. levity, bringing up member after : rneuber and pattibg bit supporters oa 4be back Hire so many school hoys ; and he pointed Out the unfairness of the insinuation nf the hon. gentleman jn respect $0 Mt winding, op - 4b . debate, amf .lieWd the right- to .reply to some _f>U_* statthvmts made by tiie hon. gentleman a* 'well .aa by thp , Prrmier. That her*, gentleman has.: . insinuated, though he 'did not say .so, j that the late Goxcmtuen! . _»<_ made j more appointments to ll.*- L<*t_Vj»ti-e Council than the present llo« -rnr__.it. ; (The Premier denied tLe statement.) i He knew the hqa, gentleman wontsay that. Jmt rfcofaa the Grry jGrcrrernj ment, of wi»_k the Premier was a | member, Ihat made the appointments. I The appointments made by the preeen t i Government were indefensible, and { the Treasurer had told them that night, tliat be was not going .to make any more appointments at present. The Treasurer bad been the first to start an hereditary Legislative Council in this colony, and deserved to be congratulated upon it. In regard to tlie Treasurer reading a list of allocations nnder the Road, and Bridges Coistructioa Act, he war overwhelmed with shame to think that a Treasurer would on theloorofthe Hoose attack , in such a manner, not the Government of the day, but the afficers of tlie department who bad to administer the act. (Mr Stout again rose several times. to interject that the list read by thi Treasurer related to the 'special . rates as well as to the allocations made under the Roads and Bridge* Construction Act.) Major Atkinson . said he was afraid that he was touching the Premier " on' the raw," and would refrain therefore from-punish-ing the hon. gentleman. In regard to the expenditure alluded to. he _a> * plained that it was made under variooa votes many yea_t before, add whioh the present Government would alto bave to keep up. Criticising the expendhjoro of the •fltj-fernment, be said that Ibe amount fcr defence did not appear on the t^rnpriation account fer last year et ali. (Sir J. Yogel pointed o-at th*. be did not include tliat matter in last year a expenditure. I * The Treasurer had told them that all the speakers were aU more or ___r f in favor of the Government, and bethought tbat would be very correct if the " mere or " were left oat Tbo Treasurer's idea of local government seemed to be to nominate a board and i give tbem means guaranteed by the [ State. That waa the whole substance Of his local governing propoejUa. He pointed out that Mr Bryee bad afweys opposed tbe East and West Coast (Middle Island)' railway, and bad vet -d against it. Aa to tht No: th Island trunk railway and native difficulty, be contended that Mr Bryce had never been equalled aa a Native Minister. - The difference between the past and present Ministers waa thia : — " Bryee," taid tbe Maori, *• is a bard man.'' (Then there was a long pant. ) after which, Major Atkinson added. "Bet he is right." T>e present Native Minister went to tire pah, and out came 16 young ladies in white dresaea to dance a hake before him. "Bel lance," was tbe verdict, it M ajeli/ good fellow." Be would tell the Hems* that the Native Minister waa sowing a crop of diftcuhiee similar to those from which Ife policy •of hit

predecessors had just extricated them. Where were the reports of the hon. gentleman's doiogs in the Waikato, which should have been laid before the House weeks before. That line should never have been begun until tbe Government had acquired the land on the other side of It. Criticising t_e general policy of Government, Major Atkinson said they had raited hopes they could not fulfill, and it was l>est to allow them to remain ia oflice until tbe people recognised that the Government had 'certainly failed tofulfil their promises. (Cheers.) Mr Hislop followed at 3.10 a.m. with a criticism of Atkinson's speech, and defended the Government from the charges made against them./; Mr J. Thompson was not satisfied with the Ministry, but he would vote against tbe amendment of Sir G. Grey because he did not know who would Teplace the Ministry if they were turned out. Mr Ross announced his intention to vote for the Government, and to criticise their proposals hereafter. Mr Reeves followed itt the same strain. Mr Hursthoeae disagreed with Sir G. Grey's motion on the ground that lie was not in a position ,to grve'&e country a better Government and "policy. „ , Mr Levestam did a little stonewall- , ing on hit own account, and spoke on a ro altitude of subjects for Over half anbonr. The original question that the Speaker do leave the chair was then put to a bare quorum (the mover^ of the amendment, Sir G. Grey, being absent), and was carried on. the voices; The Speaker left the chair, and the House went into CommilteCef Supply. On the motion lor reputing progress. Sir G. Grey spoke jb" vindication of the honor of the p6U>ny, ,, and then the motion for repoitMjJrogress was carried', and the Hous#T_!jdttrned at 4.25. ' ..x '■*' The Property Assessment Bill (Mr Stout), consolidates the existing laws -relating to the assessment of property for the property tax and amends the law in some few particulars. Districts for the pnrposes of the Act are abolished, the various boroughs, counti«j| nnd other existing local districts being created districts under this Act, se, "as far as possible, to dispense with the cost to local bodies of making separate assessments. The definition of " property "is enlarged so as to manifest •clearly that goodwill is to be included in property liable to taxation. Words are inserted to prevent trustees dis. posing of funds in hand, so long as the property tax is payable. Provision is mude that a Company- trading on its own account with money advanoed^orj <lt* posited at interest with the o_mpany on the security of itt' guarantee «er debentures is not entitled to claim the £500 exemption in respect of each separate depositor. Agricultural implements and machinery are added to the exemptions. Reversionary interests are no longer exempt from.taxation, the trustees thereof becoming chargeable for the tax thereon or the taxation of Life Assurance Ctompaniea in the same manner as persons art. off the capitalized value of their policies -at the discretion of the Commissioner. It is provided for henceforth that the parties to a mortgage may agree as to the payment of tax on such mortgage, and they shall be assessed accordingly. Sufficient notice of transfer of property is to be given, and in sufficient time to admit of the tax thereon being collected from the transferee, otherwise the transferor remains liable, is made for the furnishing of statements of property from persons arriving in the colony in tbe interval between the tinles for furnishing such statements, and also from persons eucceeding to property at any time during such intervals. Companies are required to return their • real property at its actual value at tbe time of furnishing the return. The Mines Act Amendment Bill {Mr Seddon) reduces the fee for miners' rights tb 10s. Business licens. s are also reduced, ih the one ease from £3 to J.l, and in the other case from L 5 to _2. The County Council are to hold the water rate nnder the Mining Act. The Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1881, Amendment BUL(Mr Hobbs) seeks to make a dean' sweep of all kinds oi betting, aweepstokes, Ac. indeed -one wonders at the^ f und of*, knowledge Of this kind wJ^cJus posses-, eed by the member, wWns looked 1 ttpon as being really innoj?en|' of even the technical ties of sport. Penalties are imposed on persons exhibiting playing cards or advertising betting houses, sweepstakes, or lotteries, or advertising as to betting, sweepstakes, or lotteries. It is further provided that letters and money orders for keepers of lotteries, gamblers, arid fortunetellers ar* not be registered Oi issued. The Licensing Amendment Bill (Mr Stewart) extends the franchise to all adult residents within the licensing district After the - expiration of the present term of office the Licensing Committees shall hold office for three years, the election therefore to be held once only in every third year. If a renewal of license is refused on the ground of "necessity" a> meeting of the ratepayers shall be convened after due notice, and the question may be discusatd and may be decided upon by a show of hands. If a poll bis demanded the expense incurred thereby to be defrayed out of the local body's funds; provided that if the noil decides against the granting of license tbe licensee shall refund to the funds of tbe local bodies such sums. It is lastly provided that children nnder 11 years of age shall not be supplied with littucc-