NEW SOUTH WALES PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1217, 28 June 1895, Page 35

NEW SOUTH WALES PARLIAMENT.

Sydney, June 20.

The Legislative Assembly passed the Customs Bill by 56 to 31 and the Land Tax Bill by 59 to 29. During the debate in the Legislative Council on the Land and Income Tax Bill Sir J. E. Salomons ■ suggested that the second reading be adopted, and that the exemptions provided in the measure be struck out in committee.

The President ruled that it was impossible to amend the Bill in committee because it would have the effect of imposing taxation, which was beyond the powers of the Council. After a long and hostile debate Dr McLaurin's amendment that the Bill be postponed for six months was carried by 41 votes to 4.

Sidney, June 22

The members of the Legislative Assembly are generally opposed to an early dissolution, and the feeling that it is unlikely is strengthened by the fact that Ministers have given notice' of two Government Works Bill.

It is -understood that after the recess about a dozen members of the Council will be appointed, and the moral effect relied on if Councillors still persist in the rejection of the taxation proposals. The Legislative Assembly has passed the Eight Hours Bill through its final stages. Sydney, June 23.

Cabinet will meet to-morrow afternoon to discuss the situation and arrive at a final decision, which will be submitted to the House on Tuesday; Sydney, June 24. The Cabinet held a protracted sitting to-day, and discussed the situation. It is understood that a decision was arrived at, but it will not be disclosed till the Assembly meets to-morrow. Sir H. Parkes, in an interview, strongly opposed a dissolution. The Premier, he said, would be an idiot to dissolve with such a majority at his back. Ho never saw such an unreasoning and pliant following. If Mr Eeid proposed to call black white, they would vote with him. Sir H. Parkes believes that if an appeal is made to the country, the Government will be defeated.

Rumours are current that an independent member of the Council will give notice on Wednesday of a Bill providing that future nominations to the Council shall be limited' to seven years with an interval of two years before a member can be nominated the second time. The maximum number of members will be fixed at 70. ■'/,' :■■

The Bill will also provide that after any measure has been twice sent up by the Assembly and rejected for two consecutive sessions by the Council, it shall on the third presentation: be passed without further opposition by the Council. . ~ London, June 23.

The Daily Chronicle considers Mr Reid has gained the sj mpathy of all Liberals in consequence of the treatment of his measures by the nominee Council. London, Jane 24.

The Times says that if Mr Reid's Budget is adopted in its entirety, all Australia will be constrained ftp follow the lead of New South Wales, in order to prevent Sydney monopolising- trade, and the paper warns the New South Wales Premier not to be too subservient to the extreme Radicals.

The Times thinks the exemptions from the income tax give colour to the assertion that Mr' Reid is a tool of the Labour Party, and his fear of submitting an increase in Mr Eddy's salary to Parliament confirms the impression that he is subservient to the extreme Radicals. If the session comes to an early conclusion the new Governor, Lord Hampden, will arrive in time to play an important part in the conflict between the Council and the Assembly.

Svp,N?!Y, June 25.

In the Legislative Asseniby to-day, the Premier made a statement of the intentions, of the Government.

He said the Legislative Council had destroyed the Government scheme of financial reform. According to the constitution of the colony, the Council apparently had a right to amend Financial Bills, but the decision of the Privy Council in connection with New Zealand and Queensland showed that this right was non - existent, and the Assembly would never allow an infringement of its powers. The present action of the Council was not'an isolated case. It had rejected

land and income tax Bills before, and other Governments had allowed their I

taxation policy to be defeated by a chamber filled with Crown nominees, but this Government would not stand such a gross outrage. The representative of the Government in the Council had advised him that there was no prospect of compromising the difficulty, and therefore instead of engaging in a barren conflict they intended to bring the matter to a conclusion. This morning he had asked the Acting-Governor to grant a dissolution as soon as Supply and the loan and necessary works Bills were passed. The Government policy would remain untouched till after the appeal to the people. In order to prevent a repetition of a dismal farce, the Government intended to lay the axe to the root of the tree. Before dissolving a Bill would be introduced to amend the constitution of the Upper House. That Bill would go before the people, so that there could be no mistake about the issue involved.

Sir George Dibbs said he had intended to give notice of a motion asking for an immediate dissolution, but the Premier had forestalled him. The Opposition were prepared to grant three months' supply without debate to enable the Government to go to the country immediately. In the Assembly, the Premier said the Acting-Governor had unconditionally accepted the advice to dissolve Parliament. The Government had decided to put an end to the uncertainty in connection with the Coalmines Bill, caused by the Council's amendments, by appointing a Royal Commission to enquire into the whole matter. Sir George Dibbs said the Opposition would not assist the Government to pass the loan estimates, as that meant a bribe to the electors.

Mr Copeland moved the adjournment of the House to discuss the Ministerial statement, and the debate is proceeding.