PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 774, 4 October 1878, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, October 3. Tn the Legislative Council to-day, the North Otago Benevolent Institution Bill was read a second time. In the House of Representatives to-day, On the motion that the report on the Land Tax Bill be agreed to, Mr. Wakefield moved that the Bill be recommitted. H<; was not opposed to the principles of the .Bill, bnt was desirous of seeing it amended by the elimination of a certain portion of it which was opposed to its principles, as, for instance, the way in which pastoral tenants were to be taxed. The Hon. Mr. Stout said there must be some finality to their debates, and all the objections just then raised by the member of Ueraldine had been brought out already and disposed of by the sense of the House. He maintained that the pastoral tenant was not taxed more than they could well afford to pay, and had the Land Tax Bill to be passed over again, the tax would be 30 or 40 per cent, higher than it is at present. It appeared to him that all that was intended by this opposition was to impose further taxation on ail property, s> as to relieve the land-owners from the tax which they were legitimately entitled to pay. Major Atkinson said it was a great public scandal for the Government to say that the leaseholders from the Crown were not paying a proper rent, Mr. Rees spoke cf the injustice of the arrangement with regard to the two years' extension of the Canterbury leases, and said if he did not this session introduce a Bill to repeal the 110 th clause, under which the injustice was perpetrated, he would do so next year, and so on every year, until he succeeded in removing such a glaring injustice to the people of the colony as giving away leases of runs for ten years. : Mr. Hislop said although he voted against the granting of leases last year, now that interests had grown up on the strength of that Bill he would oppose its repeal as a breach of faith. Mr. Stevens pointed out it was an error to

endeavor to make out that any wrong was done last year, because the leases referred to would without any action of the Government be open to the public in 1832. Mr. Saunders protested strongly against the gross injustice perpetrated on the Canterbury runholder. Mr. M'Lean strongly condemned the representations constantly being made, by the Premier and others in regard to the Canterbury leases. Mr. Baliance expressed his astonishment at members objecting now who raised no objection when in Committee. He defended the tax as a just and national one, intended to recover some of the money expended on public works and roads, which conferred benefits on every tenant of the Crown. (Expressions of dissent from Canterbury members.) It would be a mistake to exempt large areas of land occupied by Crown tenants because the Bill was a Laud Tax Bill. Mr. Hislop said he had amendments prepared oa the matter, ami would have moved them, but the Attorney-General promised there should be an opportunity of discussing the whole matter over again. Mr. Baliance went on to say that he -was not aware or any such promise. (Loud cries of oh, oh. amongst Canterbury members). "Well, if the runholders and their friends thought they had such good claims and thought they could rule the House, let them go to the country and ask why the Opposition had not shown their hands before. Mr. Bowen considered the action of the Attorney-General and the Treasurer rather discreditable in saying there had been no misunderstanding when half-a-dozen gentlemen, including a Government supporter, got up and said there had been such a misunderstanding. Mr. Oisborne and Mr. Murray supported the recommittal of the B : ll. The House divided on Mr. Wakefield's amendment to recommit the Bill, and the amendment was lost by 34 against 32. Mr. Murray and Mr. Montgomery formally announced they could not vote for the third reading of the Bill, so unjust and so impolitic was it in some of its provisions. s On the i-ioase resuming at 7-30 last night j Messrs. Sutton and Wakefield announced. ] their intention to oppose the third reading of the I and Tax Bill. Mr. M'Minn, while considering portions objectionable, supported the third reading. After several other members had spoken, the Premier spoke at considerable length in defence of the Bill, and dwelt on the injustice which the public suffered by the way in which the Canterbury lands had been administered Mr. Kolleston, who followed, made a very animated reply to the Premier's personal references to himself in regard to the administration of the Canterbury Waste Lands. After a number of other members had spoken, the Bill was ordered eo be read a third time by 42 against 19, The Customs Tariff Bill was then passed without any discussion. M r Baliance moved the second reading of the Beer Duty Bill. Mr. Johnston moved that it be read that day simonths. The question was put that the words proposed to be left out stand part of the question, and a division was taken, which resulted in 30 being against the Government's "2S. Ayes Baliance, Barton, J. C. Brown, Bryce, De Lautour, Feldwick, Fisher, George, Grey, Hamlin, Hislop, Macandrew, Manders, M'Minn, Murray, Nahe, O'Rorke, Pyke, Saunders, Sheehan, Stout, Taiaroa, Takamoana, Thomson, Turnbull, Wood, Woolcock. Noes—Atkinson Baigent, Barff, Bastings, Beetham, Bowen, Douglas, Fox, Gisborne, Hunter, Hursthouso, Johnston, Kenny, Macfarlane, M'Lean, Montgomery, Mooriouse, Murray-Aynsley, Ormond, Roile.-ton, liowe, Sharp, Stevens, Tawhiti, Teschemaker, Wakefield, Wasou. Whitaker, Williams. Mr. Stout said shree members broke their pairs ; and, in replying. Major Atkinson said that he was one, Mir. Hursthous-i another, and Mr. Murr* . Aynsk-y a third. Considerable time v a occupied in making personal explanatif >ns ( all three gentlemen denying that thftyh' 'okc pairs, as they only paired oil the Lant?. Ta: Bill This statement was corroborated b' eye witnesses, who overheard arrange .mentis Mr. Turnbull explained that hfivofce I on th. (Government Side in mistake, The Speake explained that the House eouUl no*., reco<'uis the pairs, but allowed the hon. gentlemei .t.'ie privilege of making personal explana tions where their honor was impugned After some further- discussion. ] the debati was adjourned till to-day. Tb.r : House risim at 1 a.m. Ihe position is that Mr. Johnston' amendment was virtually -affirmed by leav ing o"t, all the.words after "That" in thi Attorney-General's motic.n for the seconi : reading of the Bill.