PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 411, 22 August 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

(BY TELEGRAPH.) "Wellington, August 22. In the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon, The Premier, in reply to Mr. Sheehan, said the Bill for preventing illegitimate speculation in native lands was not yet ready, but the Government were considering the matter. / The Premier stated that the Government would supply Road Boards with the New Zealand ' ■a::ette.

A further Imprest Supply Bill for L 250.000 was received by a message from the Governor.

Sir George Grey objected to the House being taken by surprise in such a manner.

The Premier said supplies were absolutely required. Mr. Gisborne and Sir George Grey objected to a quarter of million of money oeing rushed through the House at one sitting, and without notice. The Premier said the matter was a very urgent one. Mr. Reader Wood denied that the money was urgently required. Mr. Stafford regretted that due notice had not been given. Mr. Ormond said large payments for contracts were continually falling due, and this was the reason for the Bill being brought in. The Bill was passed through all its stages. The adjourned debate on the incidence of taxation motion and amendments was resumed. Mr. Murray spoke in favour of relieving the necessaries of life of taxation, and the compelling of property to bear its fair share of the burdens of the country. He said the time was not far distant when additional taxation would be necessary. He concluded by moving an amendment postponing the matter until next session. After some discussion oyer points of order, Mr. Eeid made a lengthy speech, in the course of which he pointed out the large interests involved, and said they demanded careful, prudent, and temperate consideration. He denied that the Government in any way abandoned its position by professing a readiness to consider the question of taxation next year, although they had not invited that consideration in the Budget for the present year. He defended the accuracy of the Premier's estimates. He thought the Government proposal on taxation would commend itself to the judgment and good sense of the House. He said that taxation should be borne equally by men in accordance with their ability to bear it, and should fall on property according to the benefits it derived. The debate was interrupted by the usual dinner adjournment. On the House resuming, Mr. Reicl continued. He said it would be unfair to impose a heavy tax on large lands remote from the public works. Such a tax would probably disappoint their expectation as to its being a source of revenue. A land tax should be on the valuation. The Government prop<S)d carefully to reconsider the whole fiscal policy of the country during the recess. Sir George Grey said he had omitted ii his previous speech to allude to education. But he had a fair sehtme to propose. He condemned the Government j proposals as tyrannical and despotic, making the poor pay for the rich, lie | contended for equal rights for ..all classes in education, land taxation, representation, and everything. Mr. Thomson strongly criticised and condemned the Financial Statement. Mr. Gisborne condemned the Statement and policy of the Government. He urged that the Government had better

destroy the" land . revenue localisation altogether than maintain such a sham as was proposed. He strongly supported a propertytand income tax, but said it was impossible.to iiiiposb thenij this'year. Ho preferred; Sir George GreyxVp'roposalß to s th6sei : ofcthV consistent with his previoui-acnon, while the Government were simply trimming their sails..;

Mr. Stafford replied to Mr. Montgomery's attack on the accuracy of tho Financial Statement. He maintained that it was accurate, clear, and candid. Eleven years ago he had proposed a property and income tax, but it then met with but little favour. He was glad to see now that the House was only divided as whether to impose such n tax next year or this year. It was impossible to do tho latter. He condemned the Government proposals regarding the land fund of Canterbury, and said ho would rathor give up the land revenue altogether than submit to direct taxation. He opposed the removal of the duty on sugar, as sugar was largely used by brewers and tho natives.

Mr. Travers objected to either a property or income tax till other sources of revenue were exhausted. Of the two the latter was preferable. He urged the adding of the floating debt to the permanent debt, so as to save the interest. Public works should be extended, not curtailed. He also urged the selling of railways to private companies to complete and work. There would be no difficulty in doing this in London. There would be no objection to the income tax as a change of income. He would not agree to an additional tax while the Land Fund was not colonial revenue. Ho suggested that the duties on colonial beer and salt should bo increased, a halfpenny on sugar, and the reduction of the duty on clothing, but objected to an acreage tax. Mr. Johnston warmly opposed either the income or property tax, which would deter the introduction of foreign capital, and so check the development of our resources and reduce wages. He denied that the present taxation on necessaries, which did not exceed a halfpenny per head per day, pressed heavily upon tho working classes, but a property tax would do so more heavily by reducing wages. He objected to the repeal of duties which encouraged local industries rather than imposed additional taxation. It would be better to withdraw subsidies from local bodies and take a lnrcrpr portion of the Canterbury land finiu. in aid of tho Colonial revenue.

Mr. Ballance moved the adjournment of the debate, and the House then rose.