POLITICS IN THE SISTER COLONIES.

Evening Post, Volume L, Issue 53, 30 August 1895, Page 2

POLITICS IN THE SISTER COLONIES.

THE TAXATION QUESTION IN NEW SOUTH WALES. i PBKBB ASSOCIATION.! (Reooived August 30, 8 a.m ) Stdnet, This Dat. As the result of a consultation, Legislative Connoillors intend, when the taxation proposals oome before tho Council, to raise the point whether, as the Assessment Bill is merely a machinery measure, and does not impose taxation, it wonld not be competent for the Uonnoil to make such alterations and exemptions as are deemed desirable. The idea amongst several members is to eliminate altogether any exemption with regard to the Land Tax, and reduce the income exemption to £200, or probably less. They are strengthened in their position by a ruling of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, whioh is praotically to the effeot that tha Assembly and the Counoil have power to amend the Assessment Bill in any form they choose, including the reduction or elimination of exemptions. It is thought probable these developments will lead to a conference and to a compromise in regard to exemptions and the other points in dispute. (Received August 30, 11 a.m.) In spite of the ruling of tha Speaker, the Premier holds that the Assessment BUI is aotually part of a taxation measure, and as it provides for the initiation of a monetary measure the Counoil has no power to deal with the exemptions. He points oat that the President of tho Counoil last session ruled to this effeot. In the Legislative Assembly the Land and Income Tax Bill passed its second reading by 62 to 25.