PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 412, 23 August 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

(by telegraph.) I

Wellington, August 23. In the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon, Mr. Shrimski asked the Minister for Public Works whether the Government intend to accede to the request contained in a petition presented by the inhabitants at Otepopo, asking that a siding should be made to the railway near the Otepopo river. Mr. Ormond replied that the Government did not think that a siding was required, as there was a station about a mile distant. They were making further p inquiries, and if they found a siding necessary they would take action in the matter.

The adjourned debate on the incidence of taxation was resumed by Mr. Ballanco, who delivered a long and telling speech. After speaking of the financial statement, and pointing out the fallacious nature of the Premier's comparison between the public debts of Great Britain and those of this Colony, he proceeded to deal with the matters of taxation and borrowing. He said that even on the Treasurer's own basis lie thought the proposal to borrow two millions more would be received with astonishment at Home. Rest in borrowing was indeed needed, and they should study the opinions of the English money market rather than their own estimate of their resources. He quoted several English authorities to show that tho Government had reached the length of their tether, and said that lie believed the proposed further demand would create an outcry in England. Sir George Grey's principles wero sound, though the details were insufficiently considered. The remission of taxation was at present impossible, as it required serious consideration before any .; alteration should lie made. During tho \ debate, the small settlers, a most iinpor- j tant class, had been altogether overlooked, j but it was on them the Customs duties on j necessaries pressed most heavily. He % objected to tho acreage tax as being most! I unjust, even when classified. He denied '; that taxation on property would reduce ,/ wages. Tin's overlooked the law of supply i!j and demand. The property tax would g naturally deduct from mortgages, and the income tax on the interest of suo'ymort-1 gages would amount to so littl'e as hot tog affect the question, and, despite the tax,H the Colony would still oiler far greater ducements for investment of foreign ■ capital than was offered at Home. Snch'l a tax would raise the public credit, and.l so offer greater inducement for people to 1 1 invest. The Land Fund should be cm- | ployed in making roads to open up tho j country, and not as general reserves. ; I Captain Russell thought fresh taxation | was absolutely necessaiy. Next session | it could not bo imposed through the 1 Customs. He believed it a sound policy } to remove the taxes from all necessaries. j Mr. Cuthbertson agreed that property j should bear a share of taxation, but he j objected to Sir George Grey's scheme of f breaking up largo estates as unnecessary j and unjust. | Mr. Woolcock objected to an acreage | tax on land, and argued that the neces-J saries of life should be relieved, but held j that nothing could be, done this year. f The debate was interrupted at 5.30 4 p.m. | On the House resuming, at 7.30 p.m., | Mr. Woolcock continued, and said he | would support a property and income tax, jj but was in favour of postponing action in \ the matter until next session. j j Mr. Brandon said he was opposed to aj jj land or property tax, but supported an \ income tax. _ I Mr. Lusk urged the total revision of ] taxation, so as to adjust the public bur- j dens more fairly. He said the Customs j duties here pressed more heavily on the \ people by one third per head than they did in the neighbouring Colonies. This was felt chiefly by those least able to bear it ; and yet sufficient revenue was not obtained. He condemned the Government proposal to seize a portion of the Southern Laud Fund, under pretence of a refund. This was a miserable and illegal policy. The land revenue should be made Colonial revenue, but only to be used to open land in the Colony for settlement. This \ shou'd be the first charge upon tho Land Fund. He urged the Government to declare more definitely what their proposals re taxation really meant. If their meaning was identical with Sir George Grey's, there need be no further discussion. No political rest was possible till the burdens of the people had been satisfactorily adjusted, and the native lands question settled. The House divided on Mr. Murray's amendment to Sir George Grey's amendment, substituting the words " next session " for " immedia'e." The division was—For the amendment, 30; against it, 40. Sir George Grey's amendment in the original form was then negatived on the voices, the Government resolution becoming the substantive motion. Mr. Stout, in a long speech, moved the addition of words to the effect that the Government would forfeit the confidence of the House if it did not prepare and circulate before the end of the present session the Bill intended to give effect to the resolution next session. On this Mr. Montgomery took the opportunity of replying to Mr. Stafford's criticism on his former speech. 'J' Mr. Macandrew urged the sending back of the Estimates to be reduced to th« limits of the revenue. Mr. Rees spoke on the general policj of the Ministry. Mr. Burns opposed any change in taxation likely to injuriously affect local in l dustries. ,

Mr. Fhzroy said the .South would sooner givu up the land fun.l than submit to additional taxation. He urged a general system of free selection of land at a sufficient price, according to tlie Canterbury system. Sir George Grey urged the Government to readjust the representation on a fair basis, and immediately appeal to the country. Mr. Stout's amendment was negatived on the voices. Mr. Pyke moved the insertion of the ■words " and income " in th e resolution. The Government accepted this, and the debate then adjourned. The House rose at 1.25 a.m.