IN CONFLICT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVII, Issue 2411, 17 January 1895, Page 2

IN CONFLICT.

THE TWO HOUSES IN VICTORIA. By Telegraph.—Press Association. — Copyright. Melbourne, January 16. In the Legislative Assembly last night the Premier (Mr Turner)) referring to the recent crisis, said the Legislative Council had a legal right to act as it had done in rejecting the taxation Bill, but whether it had a constitutional right was another question. Looking at all tho circumstances quietly and impartially, ho thought the House could not afford to raise a Constitutional . question which could ho avoided. The real question to consider was what course was desirable in the interests of the whole colony. The Land and Income Tax Bill—the Bill in dispute—could be sent back to the Council, but in the face of its almost unanimous rejection last week there was little chance of its being accepted now. The Government would, if it wore again rejected, have to dissolve the House, which would be the recently-returned members. ’ Nor was it certain that this step would lead to tho final solution of the difficulty. He believed this’ course would be injurious to the best interests, of the colony, and create turmoil. He believed the Land Tax was growing in favour, and attributed its defeat to the pressure of the financial institutions. He hoped, with tho Income Tax, the reduction of the subsidy to the municipal bodies, and retrenchment, to be able to reduce the deficit for the year to .£78,000. -He then moved the introduction of the Income Tax Bill, which .was carried to the committee stage. During the debate, one Labour representative protested strongly against the action ,of the Government,-'alleging that the House of Representatives had been insulted by the Legislative Council, and that the backdown by the Turner Government was worse than anything displayed by tho late Government. Mr A. Deacon said he feared the Government bad' not realised the seriousness of the position. He regarded the fall‘in the colony’s stocks as diio to therejectionofthe Ldnd'Tax Rill. The notion of the Government, he thought, amounted to almost a sacrifice of principle. Had tho Government adopted a course which would have asserted the rights qf theLqwor Chamber, it would have’peon better for the Government and the country., ’ - fho Legislative Council has rejected the Aliens Bill, which reduces fees for naturalisation, and’recognises the naturalisation papers of other colonies. > > Received January 17,0:S0 a.m. ’ London, January 10. Tho Standard asserts that the apparent helplessness of the’ Victorian Parliament ■has a disturbing effect-on the colony’s stock. - ,