HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Inangahua Times, Volume IV, Issue 60, 27 August 1877, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The House met 2.3,0. Mr Sheehan gave notice to movo that the House on Tuesday go into committee of the who.lo to consider G. E. barton's petition against Ibo judges. New Bills introduced ;— Auckland College Grammar School Management (Lusk), Dunedin Municipal Loans Cons true Lion (Larnucli),, Port Chalmers Library lieserve (Reynolds).. Lawrence Wate Works (B.ro^n),. On the resumed taxation dabato Mt Pyke's nmejdmcnt was agreed to. Sir G. Grey would insert the word '.' general "• before the word " incidence " and strike out the words" by expenditure on public works " in, Qrey's resolution. Mr Stevens, while guppprti^g direct taxation on properties would rpsist in every way an unquisitoriat tax on trade professionals and industrial earnings o,r profits in the way of 3-ncomo tax, t which at Mr Pyke's suggestion tho. Government had accepted. He objected to an, acreage tax. Reducing customs duties woujd injure the credit of the Colony, reducing borrowing power and restricting pu,bli<j works. A tax on mortgages would fall o,u borrowers not lenders. Regarding Land Revenue he insisted that a definite substantial portion should be permanently settled on the districts, a sufficient amount of direct taxation should be improved, and the Tariff revised, but without increasing the total amount. i Mr Reynolds objocted to an Income lax. Major Atkinsop accepted Sir G. Grey's | amendment. The Government accepted, the motion as directing them during the recess to devise a scheme, to, make all kinds, of property contribute fairly to, taxation, and if possible, relieve the necessaries of life to some extent. QJhey held themselves perfectly frep as to, the exact nature as to proposaj they might deem, wise ip this direction The matter had long been in, the min,ds of the. Ministry, but as ypt they had np.data to go op. Mr Reader. Wppdi thought both sides of the ilouse hadi gojje, mad regarding taxation. None bad, any facts to goon. Onr finance was in a, penniless condition, and something must bo donp to place affairs on a sound, basis, but neither party was able to do, it. Th,e Land Fund should be made Colonial revenue, and, he woujd move as an amendment " that in the opinion of th % is Houjso owing to. thp necessity there was last year. of meeting a part of ordinary expenditure of the country by the issue of Treasury bills, and the fact that by. the. Treasurer's Statement, thp receipts and expenditure cannot be equalised, with thp, appropriation of land fund madp by Section 1,6; of the Appropriation Act, thp Lapd. Pond should at onpe.be made. part of the ordinary revenue, and. appropriated by t,he H<ou,se. He at great length, cr,itipised the Financial and Publip Works Statements. He moved thp. amendment entirely on his own responsibility w.ithput any consideration or party objpet. Tbo Speaker ruled Reader Wood's

amendment irrevalent. Major Atkinson's motion with Fyke's and Grey's amendments was then qgieed Reader Wood then moved his amendment as a substantive resolution. Tbo debate was adjourned till tor morrow.