GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11726, 29 October 1903, Page 6

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

1 (press association telegram.) LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, October 28. The Council met at 2.30. COUNCIL AND HOUSE. The managers of the third conference on vAe .State Fire Insurance Bill reported that they had agreed that the Bill be returned to the Council in order that Clause 24 in dispute be further considered. After some discussion on the question of maintaining the Council’s privileges, Mr JONES'moved the adjournment of the debate to give the Government an j opportunity to further consider the matter. | This was carried. THIRD READINGS. The Water Power, Animals Protection Amendment, Native Townships, City Sin- • gle Electorates, and the Military Pensions Amendment Bills were read a third time atfd passed. IN COMMITTEE. The New Zealand Institute Bill was amended in Committee by striking out ‘•for the advancement of science” alter the title and progress was reported. In Committee on the Products Export Bill, to provide for tne inspection of products for evport, hops were included in the term “products, 1 ’ and the Bill was reported. A new clause was inserted in the Local Bodies Loans Amendment Bill to the effect that whero an alteration of boundaries of any district in any area over which a special rate in made as security for a loan comes within the district of aSjocal authority other than the authority thatmade the rate then with respect- to such area there shall be deemed to be a merger for the purposes of section 11 of the Act of 1902. The Bill was reported, and the Council adjourned at 3 p.m. HOUSE OF EEPEESENTATIVES Wednesday, October 28. LAND AND INCOME TAX BILL. After the telegraph office closed this morning, the Land and Income Assessment Act Amendment Bill was further considered in committee. Sir WM. RUSSELL moved to strike out sub-clause 2 of clause 5, making the absentee tax an increase of 50 per cent, on tho schedule rates. It was, he urged, most injurious to, impose such a tax, and lie believed that- for every £1 collected £IOO would be driven away from investment. This was lost by 36 votes to 9, and the clause passed unaltered. Mr SED DON moved to strike out clause 13, “returns of deposits in banks,” and to insert in its place a new clause, providing that the necessity for providing annual t returns of deposits shall not apply to persons receiving less than £SO per annum in interest. . This was agreed to on the voices. } The Bill was reported, with amendments, and tho House rose at 3.25 a.m. AFTERNOON SITTING. , The House met at 2.30. FIRST READINGS. r The C'ollingwood County Bill was read a first time. A Bill to make better provision for secondary schools was introduced by Governor’s message, and read a first time. QUESTIONS. In reply to questions, Ministers stated: • —-That enquiries will be made into the case of a number of local bodies that have illegally made payments under the Local Authorities Indemnity Act since 31st March, 1903, for Coronation purposes, and legislative action will be taken if it is found necessary to do so. That it is not tho intention of tho Government to bring down a proposal to amend the law in the direction of reducing the exemption under the Land Act-, nor is it intended to make a provision that lease in , perpetuity holders should pay land tax. I hat it is not the intention of the Government this session to bring clown any legislation generally affecting tho banking law of the colony. That on the question of charges for the conveyance of dairy produce between New Zealand and London considerable correspondence has passed between the Premier and representatives of the shipping companies who control freights. That there is reason for considering the advisability of removing or lessening the duty on flour, and the matter will be enquired into with a view of action being taken if found advisable when tho tariff' is next being dealt with. Mr SEDDON moved that the report of the third conference on the amendments ; in dispute in, the State Fire Insurance Bill bo agreed to, and that Clause 24 (the money clause, which tne Council had techniaclly altered) lie referred back to the Legislative Council. This was agreed to. The House rose at 5.30 p.m.

EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.50. Mr SEDDON stated that he intended to devote next Monday evening to local Bills. WATER POWER BILL. The amendments made by the Legisln- ' tive Council in the Water Power Bill 4 were disagreed with. » SCENERY PRESERVATION. Tho amendments made in Committee in tho Scenery Preservation Bill came up for consideration. Mr MASSEY moved to recommit the Bill, to consider clause 6, which tho Government to expend £25,000 a year for four years, without further appropriation than' the Act. He urged that the preservation of historic spots should be paid for out of revenue, and not out of money raised for the purposes of tho Act. y 'lnis was negatived by 39 to 28. The amendments made in Committee were agreed to, and the Bill passed its final stages. LAND AND INCOME TAX. ' The amendments made in Committee in the Land aiul Income Assessment Act Amendment Bill were agreed to, and the .biu passed its final stages. Tho House rose at midnight.