LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 141, 16 November 1844, Page 3

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Tuesday, September 24. Present — All the members with the exception of Mr. Clifford.

PROPERTY RATE BILL.

The Attorney-General moved the order of the day for the second reading of this bill. It consisted, he said, of two features : one of which was the abolition of all Customs duties, and the other a proposal to raise a revenue by taxing property. The principal feature, in his opinion, was that which abolished the Customs, which he regarded as an attempt to aid nature in developing the resources of the colony, by opening the ports to shipping. It was suggested to Captain Hobson that the Customs was the least objectionable source of revenue, and while a dependency of New South Wales we were under their Customs Bill : it could not be expected they would give our ports any advantage over theirs. After the separation, a Customs Ordinance was adopted, which was little more than a copy of the New South Wales act ; and under that system we should have continued had there not fortunately a change been called for. This colony was peculiarly adapted for the whaling trade, it being in the heart of the fisheries. [The learned gentleman here read an extract from the evidence of Mr. Enderby, to show the impolicy of imposing port charges on ships visiting New Zealand ; also an extract from a report on Port Essington, pointing out the great advantages that would accrue to that settlement by having free ports, in consequence of its vicinity to the fisheries.] He considered this colony in precisely the same circumstances as Port Essington. For himself, he had always said and thought that the ports should be entirely open ; the advantages of which had been so ably pointed out by his Excellency at the second reading that he (the Attorney-General) did not think it necessary to take up the time of the Council by going more into the subject He would just mention that he had received an invitation to attend a meeting of the agriculturists, to be held that day at eleven o'clock, to whom he had sent an apology, acquainting them that he considered he was serving them better by attending to promote this bill in Council than at the meeting. All they wanted was a home market for their produce, which by this measure would be secured, and the shipping would bring us goods from all parts of the world in abundance, in exchange for our minerals and other productions. He knew many people supposed that in abolishing Customs we were throwing away a revenue of £20,000. But such was not the case. Shipping were decreasing every year, and he believed he might assert that the Customs for this year would not exceed £10,000. This measure was not inquisitorial — it trusted to the honesty of the individual to say how much his property was worth. If a person valued his property at £500 and his income at £200, he would have to make a return of £700. He (the Attorney-General) hoped the measure would be received with the same good feeling with which it was offered.

Dr. Martin, hailed the measure with great joy, and Mr. Brown with satisfaction. The bill was then partly read a second time, some of the clauses being reserved for future consideration.

THE SUPREME COURT RULES BILL

Was also read a second time.

MILITIA BILL.

The Governor, in moving the first reading of this bill, intimated that he did so in compliance with his instructions, but that it was for the Council to say whether they would adopt or reject it The bill having been read, The Governor moved that it be read a second time on the ensuing Thursday. Dr. Mautjn was strongly opposed to the bill. He did not see any necessity for such a body being formed, as we had nothing to apprehend from the natives, who might, he thought, grow suspicious and troublesome if a militia were organized. The Attorney- General was so strongly opposed to the bill that he would have been glad if Dr. Martin had moved it to be read that day six months.

Mr. Brown, was of opinion that we could not compete with the natives if a militia were formed, and that its effect would be to rouse their angry passions.

The Governor was so decidedly convinced of the extreme impolicy and imprudence of the measure, that, had it been entertained by the Council, he should have remained passive till called upon to give his assent, which he most certainly should have withheld..

On the motion of Dr. Martin the bill was ordered to be read a second time that day six months.

Thursday, September 26, 1844.

Present— All but Mr. Clifford.

The Governor, before moving the order of the day, said he wished to give the Council notice of, and to make as public as possible, the nature of the arrangements in contemplation for the ensuing year — and years following, in the event of his receiving no assistance. It was the desire of all in the service of the Government that the alterations should be made. With reference to those whom the alterations would affect, the reductions would be in the following departments: — Superintendent of the .Southern £ Division . . . . .150 Customs (abolished) . . . 4,000 Supreme and Local Courts . . 1,020 Sheriff and Gaols . . .170 Public Works, about . . . 500 Postage 100 Land Claims Commissioners . 2,000 Magistrates and Police -. . 400 Survey ..... 560 Protection of Aborigines . . 300 Land Purchases .... 800 Greater reductions he could not make. Some of the departments were provided for by the Home Government, and were not affected by the proposed reductions. Although the Customs were disposed of, it was his intention to keep the officers on pay till the end of the year, as there were many ways in whichi they could be employed, and he thought it only fair and just that they should receive one quarter's notice. The reduction in the Supreme and Local Courts would consist chiefly in dispensing with three commissioners of the Courts of Requests, and their subordinates,

whom it had been, intended to appoint. There would be only two — one for the Northern and one for the Southern District, the Courts of Requests Bill giving him the power to appoint parties to act as commissioners in many places in the absence of commissioners. The reduction in the Commission j of Land Claims would be the salaries of the Chief Commissioner and Commissioner Godfrey. He thought that by the end of the year their services could be dispensed with, as the claims were nearly all settled. The item for Land Purchase would be discontinued, unless' special funds were provided by the Home Government. The reductions he had mentioned could only be considered as a proposition. They amounted altogether to £10,000, and he wa3 happy to say very few individuals would suffer, except in the Customs. The expenditure for this year was estimated at £36,000 ; for the next, £26,000, from which we might deduct £10,000, which he was sure would be provided by the Home Government, leaving £16,000 to be provided for by the colony. Should, however, the expenditure, through a very wrong estimate, reach £40,000 this year, the proposed reductions of £10,000 would" leave it at £30,000, from which we might deduct the £7,000 which was already provided by the Home Government, which would leave £23,000 to be raised in the colony. These might be considered as a maximum and a minimum — £16,000 would be the lowest and £23,000 the highest sum we should have to raise. Should we, however, be unable to provide for the expenditure in either case, he should propose to charge a per centage of from 4 to 10 per cent, on the salaries paid by the Colonial Government; about 6 per cent, he thought would be sufficient. He was looking at the question in every possible view. His own opinion was that £16,000 would for several years be lent to the colony by the Home Government, and that £16,000 or £18,000 would be the most we should have to raise. The ways and means to raise which would be (supposing the Property Rate Bill to become law) for the

Incidental 500 Making £14,000. He would not estimate the colonial revenue, from all sources, at more than £14,000 for the ensuing year, to which might be added £10,000 more from the Home Government. If that proved to be the most we could raise, further reductions must take place. He was sure before the end of the year to receive instructions on the subject. Until then he could not say what would be done.

His Excellency then laid on the table a copy of the proposed alterations for the information of the Council.

PROPERTY RATE BILL.

The clauses reserved for further consideration were discussed. Clauses 8, 9, and 11, the effect of which, if carried, would have been to make ratable all property consigned to agents for sale, were erased. The remaining ones and the schedule having, after some slight amendments, been agreed to, the bill was read a second time, and ordered to be read a third time on the following Saturday.

SUPREME COURT RULES BILL. The bill confirming the Rules of the Supreme Court was read a third time and passed. The Council adjourned to Saturday.

Saturday, September 28.

Present— All but Mr. Clifford.

In reply to some remarks by Dr. Martin on the Distillation Ordinance, and the benefits which would probably accrue to settlers if it were suffered to come into immeeiate operation, the Governor said that whatever advantages might be derived from distillation, he did not feel authorized in making any change until he had heard from the Home Government.

PROPERTY RATE BILL.

Previously to the third reading of this bill, the Governor called the attention of the Council to the circumstance that two or three weeks would probably elapse before the southern settlements would receive it, during which they would be paying duties under the Customs Ordinance. He did not think the amount paid for the two or three weeks would be great, and as it would, in all probability, be in the hands .of the collector,, he thought it might be refunded without much difficulty. A long discussion arose, in which all the members took part. The Colonial Secretary, aln.-med at the thought of refunding, objected most pathetically to such a proceeding. Dr. Martin could see no right the people of Wellington had to any drawback. The Attorney-General had no objection to alter the date mentioned in the clause to the 15th October. And Mr. Brown did not think the bill could be altered with any advantage. So the clause remained without alteration, the Governor promising that all duties paid on and after the first of October should be refunded.

Another discussion took place on reading the clause fixing the rate of remuneration to the collectors of the rate.

Dr. Martin was of opinion that the Auckland people would walk up to the Treasury and pay their rates without any further trouble !

The Governor hoped to find it as the honourable member had predicted; but, from the depressed state of the colony, he doubted whether people would be iv such a hurry to visit the Treasury. - It was eventually agreed that 5 per cent should be allowed, the Governor having the power to add a salary in places where the per centage might not be sufficient. The bill was passed. *• His Excellency then addressed the members as follows : — " Gentlemen — I am now prepared to close this short but most important session of our Colonial Legislature. " There can be no doubt that the decision to which we have unanimously agreed respecting the abolition of Customs, and the substitution of a low rate on property, will be of vital consequence to the prosperity of New Zealand. " That principle, so true and beautiful in theory, so difficult to be carried into practice in old couc-

ries, the principle of free trade, we have here, in this new country (as it may be called), in this youngest of colonies, endeavoured to carry into effect.

" I say endeavoured, because the sanction of our gracious Sovereign the Queen is necessary, in order to make that a permanent which is now a temporary law, namely, the Property Rate Ordinance.

" That her Majesty will be advised to confirm this ordinance I cannot doubt. The peculiar character and unique condition of New Zealand appear to leave open no other wise course. " Nothing less than the most urgent sense of imperious necessity would have induced me to act so promptly and so decidedly as I may appear to have acted on this important question. " The political horizon may be viewed more generally and completely from an elevated position. Dangers may thence be seen not yet visible from other places. It is impossible to show to many the view obtained from a spot accessible to few.

" One word more, and I will refrain from trespassing further on your valuable time, so cheerfully and perseveringly given to the interests of your adopted country. 41 The Property Rate established by the ordinance, to which I have expressed my strong conviction that so much importance attaches, is founded (as you are well aware, having contributed so materially to its. construction) on the joiat bases of person, property, and income. " By taking these into consideration together, a scale has been formed, according to which each individual may be rated to the country ; and as every one is alike interested in its efficient operation, I rely with confidence, under God's blessing, on the general and cordial assistance which I believe will be given by our community." The Council was then adjourned sine die.

Rate on Property Land Titles and Crown Grants Registering of Deeds . Law and Police Fees . Auctioneers' Licenses . Publicans' ditto . . 8,000 . 2,000 . 300 . 500 . 500 . 2,000