PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9943, 5 October 1895, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

[it TRLEQRAPH.*-FRESB ASSOCIATION.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. . '•"' Friday. The Council met at 2.30. THE CHINKS 6 QUESTION. A motion by Mr. Bolt, that evidence taken before the Public Petitions Committed relative to the Chinese question be printed, caused some discussion. Several members objected to the publication of the evidence as being sensational, while others urged its publication for that very reason. Ultimately the motion was lost by one vote. Mr. Riao then gave notice to move that in the opinion of the Council the Chinese are undesirable immigrants. SECOND READINGS. The Chattels Transfer Act Amendment Bill, and the Margarine Bill were read a second time. THE liquor bill. The Council went into committee on the Alcoholic Liquors Bill, but after tho short title had been passed, progress was reported till Tuesday. BILLS PASSED. The Coal Mines Act Amendment Bill, »nd the Public Domains Amendment Bill, were pat through their final stages. The Unclassified Societies Registration Bill passed through Committee without material amendment. At 4.40 the Council adjourned till Tuesday. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Friday The House met at 2.30 p.m. ADVANCES TO SETTLERS.

Mr. Ward moved the second reading of the Government. Advances to Settlers Bill to amend the Government Advances to Settlers Act, 1894. He said it was proposed to reconstruct the Board, no!) because the Government had any dissatisfaction with the Board, bub to enable a lesser number to form it. The Bill proposed that in the absence of the Colonial Treasurer from any meeting of the General Board, the Minister of Lands, or in his absence any member of the Executive Council, may attend the meeting as the substitute of the Colonial Treasurer. He explained that although the whole of the money set apart under the Act for advances bad not been used by settlers, there were still a large number of applications for advances, and a3 thpt had been the means of considerably reducing the interest, he felt sure that the Act would confer great benefit on the colony generally. As this was the first institution of its kind in the civilised world, he thought the House would say that the first effort of this kind, introduced under great difficulties, had proved exceedingly useful. Sir R. Stout said it was absurd to contend this Act had lowered interest, when interest was being reduced all over the world. It was also incorrect to say this was the first institution of the kind in the world. It had been tried in several other places, and it hisd yet to bo seen whether it would be a success in this colony. He much preferred to see the Board remain as it was under the present Act. The debate on the Bill occupied the whole afternoon, and was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30. After further debate the second reading of the Government Advances to Settlers Act Amendment Bill was agreed bo on the voices without further debate. MINING BILL. The Mining Act Amendment Bill was read a second time on the voices and referred to the Goldficlds Committee. LAND and INCOME TAX. The Land and Income Assessment Acts Amendment Bill was committed. In the interpretation clause Mr. Hone Heke objected to taxing of native lands under the Bill, and moved to omit " native land" from the clause. ' Mr. Ward offered as a compromise to reduce the rates on native lands under the Bill by one-half. Mr. Hone Heke accepted the compromise. On clause 3 a long discussion took place on the proposal to make land and income tax a permanent tax, the general opinion as expressed by those who ."poke, being hostile to tho proposal on the ground that ib .was desirable to keep the tax an annual one.

Mr. Montgomery moved to strike out the portion of the clauea which made the tax a permanent one. After considerable discussion Mr. Ward expressed his willingness to take the voice of the House on the amendment. Eventually the amendment was carried on the voices, and Clauses 3, 4, and 5 were struck out, in order to give effect to the wish of the House in the direction of retaining the tax as an annual one.

Clause 6 : Land tax to be paid on native land occupied by other than a Maori. After considerable discussion on the question of taxation of native land, Mr. Ward moved to amend the clause to provide that native land occupied prior to the passing of this Act shall bs liable to half the duty of land tax, but after the passing of the Acl, to the full amount of ordinary duty ; but, in neither case shall it be subject to a graduated tax. After further discussion, Mr. Ward moved to report progress on the Bill. He said that the compromise he had made, had been received in such a way that he felt justified in withdrawing it and reporting progress. The motion was agreed to. At 1 a.m. the House rose till 7.30 p.m. on Monday.