NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 150, 21 September 1881, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE 03? EEPBESENTATIYES.

Tuesday, September 201

The whole of last night's sitting was spent in Committee on the Corrupt Practices Prevention Bill, the clauses of which underwent considerable amendment. The Bill was then reported, read a third time, and passed at 1.55. Replying to Mr. Bunny, the Hon. Mr. Hall said that detailed information of the expenses of the late Boyal Commissions were in course of preparation. If they were not completed before Parliament rose, the return would be printed and circulated among members during the recess.

PROPERTY TAX BILL.

Major Atkinson moved the second reading of the Property Tax Bill. Sir George Grey, speaking to the Bill, said that this was not the time to reduce taxation. For instance, if any dimculty arose on the West Coast, it would have to be grappled with at once, even although funds were squandered away, there must be no dallying, or prolonged warfare. It was the salvation of both races, that this course should be followed, in that this was not a lime to reduce taxation as proposed by the Bill. In Committee he would propose such alterations as would transform the Bill into one of a property tax on land. Major Atkinson defined the mode of taxation proposed by the Bill as the best for reaching rich men. The latter class was paying at present j>42,000, whereas under an income tax at 6d., they would not contribute more than The Bill was read a second time.