PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7392, 19 August 1889, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

[BY TKLJSCHUi'H.J [FROM OtTB SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. | WELLINGTON, August 17. Mr W. L. Rees says he is going to stand at the next election for one of the amalgamated constituencies. He has not yet made up his'mind which he will choose. Mr Witherf ord, mining agent Auckland, has arrived here, to give evidence before the Goldfields Committee in reference to hie scheme for utilising unemployed labor on Crown lands goldfields. Sir George Grey has prepared a proposal in reference to taxation, which he will submit to the House to-morrow. He will suggest a great reduction in the property tax. His speech on his amendments, particularly in reference to taxing the bondholders, is being looked forward to with some interest. There has been a lull in matters political since the no confidence division, but it is expected that there will be a great deal of trouble in Committee. There are a large number of amendments to the Assessmenc Bill, which are certain to give rise to a long discussion. [fEOM OTTB CORBBSPOXDENT.] WELLINGTON, August 17. The Opposition are wroth with certain members who voted against them last night, particularly Messrs Harkness, Newman and O'Conor, and they threaten to mangle the Property Assessment Bill when it gets into Committee. Though the Government majority was only four, it must be borne in mind that the Opposition gave a block vote, while several pronounced Government men hailing from Auckland had to support Mr Moss , amendment, though they would have been prepared to rend any Ministry formed from the other side of the House. This was particularly the case in regard to Mr Monk and Mr Lawry, who recorded their votes with marked bad grace. At the last moment, Dr. Newman paired in favor of the Bill, although he had told the Native Minister in the morning and also the Government whips that he had made up his mind to support the amendment. After the division was taken Mr Fisher made an attempt to traverse Mr Harkness' action, but was ruled out of order several times, and eventually said he would speak on the subject at the proper time. Mr Seddon wished to move that a change should be made in the incidence of taxation by substituting the'land and income tax, but was likewise ruled out of order. Mr Turnbull intimated that if Mr Harkness moved his amendment, *he Opposition would walk out and show their opinion of him; if, on the other hand, Mr Seddon moved it, they would euppprt it. The amendment which Mr Seddon intend&to njove on the Property Tax Bill is to exempt "all improvements on land held for* mining ! purposes. If this is defeated he informs'me he will then propose a clause; binding the Committee not to increase* the property tax over the preaent rate of a penny for five years. He thinks that a provision to that effect on the Statute Eook would not deter capitalists from investing in the colony, Government have promised to make every effort to put the Otago Central Bill through this session, but the Opposition, in revenge for the attitude of Messrs Fish, Pyke, and Allen, on the no-confidence motion, will join with the Auckland phalanx and prevent its passage. A sharp fight is expected on Monday over Sir George Grey's proposal for taxing bondholders. It is said that in foreign and Harbor Board bonds forty millions are invested without any taxes being derived.