NEW SOUTH WALES PARLIAMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2157, 27 June 1895, Page 36

NEW SOUTH WALES PARLIAMENT.

THE LAJND MHV INCOME TAX BILL RKJECTRD.

AN APPEAL 'TO THE COUNTIIY.

Sydney, June 19. The all-absorbing topic of conversation in political circles Is the attitude the Council are likely to adopt in regard to the taxation measures. To-night it is thought that that branch of the Legislature will possibly attempt to excise the income tax, leaving the land tax. Tbe Herald declares it is not too much to say tbat this possible action o£ the Council is regarded by the country with grave concern and apprehenfaion. Tho majority of the Council show themselves so bitterly hostile to the policy of the Reid Government as to forget tbe ordinary decencies of political life in their eagerness to destroy that policy before it is placed before them as a whole. Tbe Herald adds that if the taxation measures are rejected it will become a question of Council versus Country. Mr Crick has introduced a bill to extend tbe restriction against Chinese immigration to Javanese, Japanese, and kanakas. The Government motion to postpone the Land and Income Tax Machinery Bill for a week was rejected by 38 to 9. In moving the second reading of the measure the Hon. Mr Want made a warm onslaught on the Opposition, and declared "that iE those members who were Freetraders voted against; it it would be an unexampled act of treachery, and every opponent would have to face the music. The Hon. Mr M'Laurin opposed the attack, declaring that the bill was a wretched ono. Io was purely class tsxatioo, and would ruin the" country. He was opposed to the exemptions in the bill, and moved that tho bill bo postponed for six months. Thß Hon. Mr Haydon supported the amendment. The debate was adjourned. June 20. The Assembly have passed the Customs Bill by 5G to 31, and the Land Tax Bill by CD to 29. 2 he object of the Government in attempting to scenre the postponement of the Land and luoomß Tax Assessment Bill in the Council was that the three fiscal measures might be submitted to tha Council at the same time. Mr Want eaid the Government were prepared to accept the rejection of the postponement provided the second readings weie proceeded with immediately. He warned the Council to consider well before thoy rejected the bill, which would b3 tantamount to claiming the right to initiate taxation and direct the country contrary to the will of the electors. Such action, he said, would be liable to the inisconstmction that it was irapolled by self interest. During the debate iv the Legislative Council oa the Land and Income Tax Bill, Sir J. E Salomons suggested that the second reading be adopted, and that the exemptions provided in the measure be struck out in Committee. The President ruldd that it was impassible to amend the bill in Committee, because it had tbe effect of impo^ibg taxation, which was beyond the powers of the Council. After a long and hostile debate, Mr M. Lauri's amendment that the bil' be postponed for six months was, on a division, carried by 41 to 4. June 21. Mr E-jid, the Premier, will make a statement on Tuesday in connection with the rejection by the Council of the Land and Income Assessment Bill. It is believed that the Gjvcjrncaenfc will send the Land and Income Tax Bills just passed in the House on to the Council, where, doubtless, they will be rejected, but will refrain from sending tbe Customs Bill, which has passed tbe Legislative Assembly. The usual message forwarding the Bill having been omitted, this step was taken to save time, for if the bill were now sent on and rejected the Legislative Assembly would require to go over the whole ground next session, whereas under the present arrangement the bill can be taken up where it was loft off. The Government will probably pass the Works and Loan Bill, a short Electoral Amending Bill, and the Estimates, and then Parliament will be prorogued tor tho recess. If the Legislative Council next session reject the taxation measures, a bill will ba introduced to reform that Chamber, and the Government will appeal to the country on that question, combined with Freetrade and direct taxation. The Herald, commenting on the deadlock between the two Houses, says that "the Council must bo brought into accord with tbe deliberate will of the people. The Government, with the people at their back, have ample powers for executing the popular mandate, and it is their duty to see that no time is needlessly loßt in securing that mandate's fulfilment. There is now something at stake of infinitely more importance than any financial policy. That issue is selfgovernment by the people." The Daily Telegraph says that the vote taken on an important policy bill in the Upper House leaves the Government no alternative but to appeal to the country. Tbe Government are reported to contemplate prorogation for one or two months, during which time a number of appointments to the Council will be made, and then holding a new session. Such a policy, tbe Telegraph says, ia one of petty paltering with public opinion. The present moment is one of ■white heat. Mr Raid has the first strike, and it will probably be tbe last opportunity of his political lifetime. A dissolution tomorrow would enable him to sweep the country from end to end and come back with a majority unparalleled in Australian politics. If be fails to take advantage of that opportunity he will fritter away his chances and involve a future political catastrophe. An informal meeting of the Cabinet discussed the situation. Members of the Legislative Assembly are generally opposed to an early dissolution. The feeling is not likely to be strengthened by the fact tbat Ministers have given notice of two Government Works Bills. The House, it is understood, will after the recess appoint about a dooen members

to the Council, and truafc to the moral effect. If Councillors still persist in the rejection of tho taxation proposals tho Government will j carry out the policy outlined this morning. Tiio Legislative Assembly has passed tho Eight Hours Bill through all stages. June 25. Iv the Assembly to-day the Premier made a statement of the intentions of the Government. He said the Ootmoil had destroyed the Government BOheme of 'financial reform. According to its constitution, the Oounoil apparently had the right to amend finanoial I bills, but the decision of the Privy Council in connection with New Zealand and Queensland showed this right was non-existent, and the Assembly would never allow an infringement of its powers. The present aotion of the ! Council was not an isolated case. It had I rejected land and income tax bills beforß. ■ O;her Governments had allowed their taxai tion policy to be dofeatod by a Chamber filled with Crown nominees; but this Government would not stand such a gross outrage. The representative of the Government in the Oounoil had adviaed him there vras no orospaot of compromising the difficulty, and therefore, instead of engaging in a barren oonfliot, they intended to bring the matter to a conclusion. This morning he had asked tha Acting- Governor to grant a dissolution as. soon as supply, loan, and necessary works bills were passed. The Government polioy would remain nntouobed till after the appeal to the people. In order to prevent a repetition of the dismal farce the Government intended to lay the axd to the root of the tree. Before dissolving a bill would be introduced to amend the constitution of the Upper House. That bill would go before tho psople so that there could be no mistake about the issue at question. "* Sir G. R. Dibbs said ho had intended to give notice of motion asking for an immediate dinsolutlon, but the Premier had forestalled him. The Opposition were prepared to grant three months' supply without debate to enable the Government to go to the country immediately. The Premier said the Acting- Governor had accepted the advice to dissolve PAiliamsnt. i . London, Juno 22. The Daily Chronicle considers that Mr Reid, "the New South "Wales Premier, has gained the sympathy of all Liberals in consequence of the treatment of his measures by the nominee Council. June 11. The Times 33y* that if Mr Reid's Budget is adopted in its' entirety all Australia wiU be constrained to follow the lead of New South Wales in order to prevent Sidney monopolising trade. It warns Mr Rtid not to be too subservient to the extreme Radicals.