PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 408, 18 August 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

(by telegraph.)

Wellington, August 18. The principal item of interest at yesterday's sitting of the House was the resumption of the debate on Mr. Woolcock's motion with reference to the incidence of taxation. Mr. Bowen said the Government quite agreed that property should be made to bear its share of the public burden. He moved an amendment postponing the alteration of taxation until next session, and instructing the Government to embody in their financial proposals next year the principles suggested. Mr. Reid said it would be impossible to make an alteration in the taxation this year, when the chief object should be to make both ends meet. The Speaker ruled that Mr. Bowen's amendment could be accepted. Mr. Stafford wanted Mr. Woolcock's motion withdrawn. Mr. Manders objected to this being done. Mr. Reynolds said he had supported a property tax for years, and if members were true to their election pledges a majority would vote for it. Messrs. Bunny, Travers, Sutton, and Fisher spoke in favour of Mr. Woolcock's motion. Messrs. Gibbs and Lumsden took the opposite view, the former expressing the opinion that the general rates already imposed were a sutlicient tax upon property. After Sir R. Douglas had spoken, Mr. Woolcock's proposal was carried without a division, and then became the substan-

tive motion. Mr Bowen was then about to again move his amendment, but he was forestalled by Sir George Grey, who moved an amendment to the effect that a property and income tax should be immediately imposed, in order that the people of the Colony might be relieved from Customs duties on necessaries. He supported his proposition in a lengthy and vigorous speech, pointing out the absurdity of Mr. Bo wen's proposals. He supported the imposition of an acreage tax on land, so that the chief burden would not fall upon those who improved their properties, but on those who acquired enormous estates. The lion, gentlemen had not finished speaking when the usual adjournment took place. The House resumed at 7-30. Sir George Grey continued : He would create a colonial land fund by taking 25 per cent, on all land revenue, including native land, care being taken, however, that the natives obtained by auction in a similar way the full value without the intervention of He could, with new taxes, add a million a year to the revenue against L 3,590,000 taken off customs, and yet render taxation far easier to the majority of tax-payers. If the Government would not do this, he sawmany men around him lu would be glad to follow in doing it. Mr. Macandrew urged the immediate adoption of such a beneficial measure. He would prefer an acreage contribution —say 2s. 6d.—going into the colonial chest to a percentage on the land fund. Major Atkinson d, fi ncled the accuracy of his figures in the Financial Statement. He woutd have been glad if Sir George Grey had advanced a definite policy ; the House could then judge between that policy and his. if the House preferred Sir George Grey's, he could immediately take office and see if he could change the whole financial policy of the Colony in a few hours. Property already contributed very largely to the taxation of the country. A property tax of Is. in the pound would only yield L 130,000. Sir Gwrge Grey's figures were entirely fallacious. The operation of the Inscription of Stock Act would relieve the Colony from the sinking fund. He had fulfilled every pledge given two years ago, and by a prudent, foreseeing policy, got the country into a position to do without further present taxation. The Government would stand on their policy as against Sir George Grey's. Mr. Montgomery criticised the financial statement, asserting that its figures in many respects were delusive. The necessities of the Colony would soon force the land fund into the Colonial chest. Sir George Grey's proposals were sound in principle. A fair share of public burdens should be placed on the proper shoulders immediately. Mr. Stout accused the Ministry of shuffling this questijn, as was the case with that of the Native lands. They would agree to do anything next year, if left in office this one. Mr. Bowen's proposal was a complete reversal of the Government policy, and every word that Major Atkinson said was an argument strongly against it He strongly condemned the whole past policy of the Ministry, and supported Sir George Grey's proposals. Mr. Reynolds strongly supported the imposition of a property tax this session. Mr. Harper opposed taxing property. The country had not been consulted. It would drive capital away. Until all the land was sold property should not be taxed. Property already bore a fair share of the public burdens. Mr. Pyke condemned the Customs duties, and supported a property and income tax. Mr. Bees thought the country was ripe for a change in its financial polic3 r . If the Government doubted it let them appeal to the country. Dr. Hodgkinson supported Sir George Grey's proposals. Mr. Hunter maintained that the Financial Statement gave a fair account of the position of the Colony. If a property tax was imposed, owners would have to either employ less labour or reduce wages. Property should only be taxed by local

bodies for local purposes. He would prefer an income tax to a land tax. Mr. Murray moved the adjournment of the debate.