TELEGRAPHIC

Inangahua Times, Volume IV, Issue 57, 20 August 1877, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC

[BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.] ' [PER PBE3S AO3OOIATION.] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. "Wellihgton, August 16. Mr Eees brought up aa a matter of privilege the address presented by the Wellington bar, including four members of the Houfle, to the judges in relation to Mr Bartons petition, now pending. The Speaker ruled, the matter was not one of privilege. Mr Reea gave notice of motion regretting what had been done. In committee on the address, it was agreed to at<k the Government to place £5000 on the estimates in aid of public libraries, £ for £ to libraries under the Public Libraries Act, and 10a for every £ raised by subscription to other libraries. Major Atkinson said the question was whether the money could be fonnd. The Auckland Provincial Council Library Bill was read a second time. Taiaroa resumed the local option debate, and supported the Bill. Mr Button warmly supported the Bill, and thought every mother should have an extra vote under the Bill for each child- The matter was so urgent, the consideration should cause postponement in dealing with it. Mp Rowe supported the principle, but uot the Bill, which was too far in advance of public upinion. ' Sir George Grey supported the Bill, but thought the publicans would be > entitled to compensation. Mr Wason opposed the Bill altogether. Mr. Hodgkinson would support the second, but not the third reading unless the details were greatly altered. ' Mr Macandrew thought nothing couU effectually remedy the evil, but the total prohibition of the importation or manufacture of 1 alcoholic liquors. The Publicans were entitled to com» pensation. Mr Tole opposed the Bill. Mr Montgomery held it to b& abitrary and crude, and requiring great ! amendment. Compensation would be due if existing houses were olosed by the^ote of a simple majority. Mr Lusk supported the principle of the Bill, but had changed opinion about compensation, and now held it could be fairly claimed. Messrs Joyce and Eeynolda opposed the Bill. Mr Ballance condemned it as not susceptible of improvement in committee. Compensation would un^i doubtedly be due. Mr Stout spoke warmly in favor of the Bill, but the details might be im« proved. He held that claims for coma pensation were utterly unjustifiable, and would rather see the Bill aban» doned than such claims admitted. Mr Hislop moved the adjournment of the debate to Wednesday House adjourned at 15. The House met at 2.30. Mr Reid stated that the clauses would be introduced in the Surveys Bill to quiet titles in Canterbury, by reconciling surveys with crown grants. Major Atkinson stated that the Government intended to ask the House to vote a sum sufficient to cover the ex* pensesaf the kelson Naval Brigade, and give £50 to the funds of the corps in recognition of services in the search for the Queen Bee people. A little scene occurred in the House, over a motion, to give effect to the report of the petition committee on the Hon. Mr Russel'B petition last se9" sion about a road line. The debate drifted into & general, one abou.t

Hawke's Bay land transactions. Some warm words occurred between Mr Ormond and Sir G, Grey. Major Atkinson tben challenged ?Sir G. Grey, to put the charges in writing, and they wonld force him to prove his words in the Supreme Court. Mr Eees said he would do so, and challenged the Government to appoint a committee of enquiry into the transactions. Mr Douglas advise the members not to abuse each other in the House, but settle their differences outside. The discussion then reverted to the original question, and ultimately the Government assented to the motion on the understanding that they were considering the whole question of resuming power to take 5 per cent of the land for roads even after 10 years abeyance without reference to Eussels case particularly. On the motion of Mr Murray, Mr Ormond stated that the Government intended absolutely to forbid all private practice op outsMe work on the part of Government officers. On Mr Bastings motion that Counties being unable to provide for the maintenance and construction of main arterial roads, the Government should provide for them. Mr Keid said he thought by further borrowing powers being given to local bodies they could do these works. It was not desirable that the House should distribute money for such works. It was far better that the couaties should do it. The debate was interrupted at 5.30. The House resumed at 730. Sir George Grey continued. He would create a Colonial Land Fund by taking 25 per cent, of all land revenue, including Native laad, care being taken, howover, that the Natives obtained by auction or similar wny full value, without the ) intervention of speculators. He could, with new taxes, add a million a year to ■ thoj revenue, against £359,000 taken off the customs revenue and yet render a taxation far oasier to the majority of the tax-payers. If Government would not do this, ho saw many men around him he would be glad to follow in doing it. Mr Macandrew urged the immediate adoption of suoh a beneficial policy. He would prefer an acpeago contribution of, say, 2s 6J going into the Colonial chest, instead of percentage on the land fund. Major Atkinson defended the accuracy of bi* figures in the Financial Statement. He was glad that Sir George Grey had advanced a definite polioy, The House could judge between that policy and his. If the House preferred Grey's Sir George could immediately take office, and see if he could change the whole policy of tlie Colony in a few hours. Property already contributed very largely to tie taxation of the Colony. A Property Tax of Is in the pound for the whole (Jolony would only yield £130,000* Groy's flgurus were entirely fallacious. The operation of the Inscription of Stock Act would relieve the Colony from Sinking Fund. He bad fulfilled every pledge given two years ago, and by prudent, far- seeing policy had got the countryi into a position to do without further present taxation. Government would stand on their policy as against Grey's. Mr Montgomery criticised the Financial Statement, asserting that in many respects its figures were delusive. The necessities of the Colony would soon force the Laud Fund into the Colonial chest. Sir George's proposals were sound in principle, and a fair share of the public burthen should be placed on the proper shoulders immediately. Mr Stout accused the Ministry of shuffling the question, as with the IN avtire Land question. The Ministry would agree to do anything next year if left in i office this year. Mr Bowen's proposal was'a completo reversal of the Government polioy aad every word that Major 'Atkinson had said was an argument ', against it. Ho strongly condemned the whole pas.(; policy of the Ministry, and supported the imposition of a Property Tax this session. Mr Harper opposed to. taxing property. ' The country had not been consulted, and : such, a ta* would drive capjtial away. Until the land was sold property should not be taxed. Property already b/are s fair share of the public burthens. Mr Pyke condemned the customs 'duties, and supported a Property and Income Tax. , Mr Rees thought the country was ripe for a change in the fiscal policy. If the Government doubted it,, let them appeal , to the country. Mr Hodgkinson supported Gcej's pro* 1 proposals.. Mr Hunter maintained that the Fin an-, cial Statement gave a fair account of the position of tho Colony. If a Property Tax were imposed, owners would either hare to employ less, labor, or to reduce wages. Property should only be taxed by local bodies, for local purposes^ He would prefer an, Income, to a Laud Tax,. l)ebate adjourned.