POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 9470, 15 August 1894, Page 2

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[Feom Ocb Paßliambntabt Rkpobteb,]

- WELLINGTON, Auonsr 15. Taxation of 11«aMtal Hlhm.”

Mr Meredith yesterday asked bis question as to the taxing of theatrical awl dramatic companies, inia in introducing which he said that “ these persona ” took large sums oat of the country, and, beyond “ staying at a pub,” contributed nothing directly or In* directly towards local taxation. He sng* gested that the Treasurer should take a percentage of their takings, or; if'he thought best, of “.the profits of the business.”—Mr Ward Jocularly suggested that the hen. gentleman should have made his suggestion before the Budget was prepared.. Mr Meredith wonld have an opportunity of moving in the matter when the Insurance BiU was before the Hdnse. —Mr .Meredith asked whether Mr Ward himself wonld bring in such a proposal, but the Treasurer demurred, though adding, amidst .the laughter of the House, that any proposal in the direction of bringing in additional funds to the Treasury wonld meet with his hearty approval.

Brntaet Bills. Three measures were given notice of by the Treasurer yesterday to give effect to bis Budget proposals. They are: Companies’ Deposit BiU, the' New Zealand Government Agency for Advances Bill, and the Beetroot Sugar Act Amendment Bill Barbers BUI.

A deal of time was taken up yesterday with the Harbor Amendment Bill Mr Bell moved an amendment providing that the overdraft of a board shall not at the mid of any financial year exceed the. amount then - owing to the board for dues, rente, and other revenues . not specifically appropriated to the payment of interest or sinking fond. This was negatived. It was foUowed by another amendment by the same gentleman, providing that Hie limit of the overdraft in the BiU shaU not affect the right of any bulk to be repaid out of the foods of the board, which was agreed to. MrKeUy then moved another new clause enabling a board to appropriate in any year any part 01-the harbor fond to create a special fond to pay for injury to the board’s property or to meet other exceptional losses. This was also agreed to. A new clause was next proposed hy the Treasurer, at the instance of the Otago Harbor Board, giving hoards power to make by-laws levying harbor improvement rates on all goods or merchandise discharged at or shipped from the port; such rates to be on weight, measurement, package, or value; power beinjg farther given to vary these rates from time to time, so as to discriminate between one class and another, as the Board may from, time to time determine. This was resisted by Messrs Duthie, Hogg, and Tanner, on the ground that it wonld increase taxation and give an additional source of revenue to the harbor boards of the colpny. It was defended by the Hon. Mr Ward, who contended that present aim of the boards was to keep their harbor dues and shipping dues down to the lowest possible rates. The clause was qgreed to by 33 to 23. A further clause, proposed by the Treasurer, was added providing that no board shall be responsible for any act or omission of its harbor-master ip case he shall be a duly qualified pilot. Mr E. M« proposed a clause, the effect of whiph was that by special resolution a' harbor board may divide its rating areas or districts into six electoral wards, each to return one member. The clause was added by 32 to 23, but on Mr George Hutchison’s motion “six wards ” was excised from the clause, and the following substituted:—“ Any number of wards not exceeding the number as fixed by the principal Act/” The BiU was then ordered to he reported with amendments. Beeiprocal Tariffs. The Tariff and Industries Committee have reported oh the petition of 1,152 Southland farmers 'for an import duty on Victorian horses similar to that imposed on New Zealand horses landed in Victoria that in their (the Committee’s) opinion a representative should be at once sent to Australia to arrange for intercolonial reciprocity, and that in the meantime a duty on Australian horses, cattle, and goods similar to the duties imposed on New Zealand live stock'and goods in the respective colonies should be imposed in New Zealand.

The Otago Central Deputation. Mr Pinkerton, replying to the* Premier’s concluding observations at yesterday’s interview, said that members had felt that they were being humbugged after two appointments had been broken. He had himself sent into the Cabinet room at twenty minutes to one on Monday to ask whert Ministers would receive the deputation, not wishing to disturb the Cabinet’s deli tions, but he objected to kicking his Heels about the lobby. A reply came back thtiji Mr Seddon was not tb be disturbed for three-quarters 'of an hoiir. 1 Had the rejM been that the deputation would be received at that time, he (Mr Pinkerton) would hkvd been content; but he felt very crbss at thb answer that was returned; so hfe sent hiH compliments to the Premier th'atMinisters could go to SheoL— (Loud laughter.)— The Minister of Lands: I We did not get that message.—Thb Preiniet: If we 1 had Wq should not have gone.- i —(Mote laughter.] He was, however, glad to have had an opportunity of explaining Monday’s trouble, and of removing any friction which had been caused thereby. He was ill then (Mr Seddon had had an attack of influenza), and would not have been out of bed but for his earnest desire to meet this deputation. He hoped that he should never near from any deputation again the words “annual doles.” Seeing what the Government had done for the Otago Central, and that last year £40,000 had been voted, the term should certainly never have been applied to this particular line.— Mr Allen inquired how long the £9,000 passed yesterday by the Cabinet would extend over.—Mr Seddon said it would keep 200 men employed for three mouths.—Mr Allen: Does it include any work in the tunnel?— The Minister of Lands : No, it is exclusive of the tunnel, but includes two small bridges between Hyde and Ryan’s Crossing. There are two heavy embankments which, Mr ‘Ussher advises, will require a certain time to settle down before the ballast can be laid. The tunnel will be completed at the same time as the formation of the line.—Mr Allen; Is there any hope of the line being completed to Ryan’s Crossing in twelve months ?—The Premier replied to the effect that he had oncq given a promise, but circumstances arose to prevent its being carried out, but.he would nqt make another. His instructions to the departmental officers were to push on the line to some serviceable point as soon as possible. . Texiav’* legislative Cssicii,

The Council only sat for. a 'quarter of an hour to-day, and passed the Conspiracy Law Amendment Hill through its final stages.-f-Iu answer to the.Hoh, Mr Jen ktnson’s question as to inserting hi the contract'conditions that not less than the'sta’hdiifjtt r&te of'wagisi shall be paid and recognised, the Hon. Mr Buckley read the conditions, which he said had anticipated the question, as the contractors have signed an agreement to pay the current rate of wages, and to observe eight hours per day.

Jottings, Members of the Opposition intend entertaining Mr Rolleston (their late leader) at a banquet on Saturday night. An instrument has bden fitted up in the office at the Parliamentary Buildings by which messages,can be sent directto their destination. < ;

Mr Joyce wants to know whether precautionary measures will be submitted to the House by the Government so that the. tax? payers will not be asked to become liable for the failure of financial institutions, or whether the lime has not arrived for thy State only to issue the “note” circulation throughout the colony ? * During 1893-94 the sum of £905 was drawn by way .of Gravelling allowances. by Ministers, and £BB4 for travelling expenses. A strong argument is Imreaunplp Ip favpp of Mmistenal.sauuries.lwt^agd>a| A Mr 8. C. candidate who stood against Sir J Vogel) presents a petition in which he asks to be compensated t because at a public meeting at Ashburton In - 1884 he proposed a scheme lor the conversion of the public debtwhioh baa been

acted on. He therefore claims to have been a benefactor to the colony. There are 4,244 telephone connections in Hew Zealand, which have cost £104,425, and tming in a revenue of £21,771 at ! a coat of £22,217. For the last two years the exchanges have been worked at a loss. Of 3,889 men and boys in the railway service, 1,219 receive 6a 6d a day. The highest rate is 12s per day, which is paid to seventy-seven men. Michael O’Connor, who was one of the few who escaped alive from the attack on Turn Turn Mokai (near Hawera), on Saturday, July 12, 1868, when Captain Ross and all his officers and non - commissioners were killed, petitions Parliament for the New Zealand cross at this late date, and quotes the recommendation of Lieutenantcolonel M‘Donnell and Captain S. M. The House was occupied last night in providing work for the Council. The Companies’ Accounts Audit Bill was first taken, and it through committee as it came from the Joint Statutes Revision Committee. Mr I‘irani wants inserted in the new Licensing Bill a clause compelling the photographs of persons against whom prohibition orders have been issued to be supplied to hotelkeepers in the district affected. Captain Russell is asking the Government, to lay before Parliament the final report of the late Railway Commissioners, dated 20th January lost.