House of Representatives.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VII, Issue 1053, 26 June 1880, Page 2

House of Representatives.

The House met at 2.30, J Mr. Hall gave notice he would introduce a Representation Bill next sitting day. Mr. Hall laid on the table an original copy of evidence taken by the Civil Service Oorn mission. Replying to Mr. Stevens, Major Atkinson said the time for making returns under the Property Assessment Act would be extended to the Ist August. Mr. Reeves resumed the No Confidence debate, stating that when he first came up to the House, this session he intended supporting the Government ; but since reading their financial proposals, he was constrained to go into the Opposition. Instead of those proposals he would impose an export duty of half-penny per lb. on wool, making no difference between washed or greasy, and so all wool would be washed in the Colony which would give employment to hundreds. He would also impose an import duty of five-pence per ton on coal, which would tend to develope the mines of the Colony. Capt. Russell spoke in support of the Government proposals. Mr. Stewart followed on the Opposition side, condemning the Property Act as calculated to deter enterprise. Mr. Mason argued for a reduction of the cost of education. Mr. Hursthouse spoke in opposition to Sir George Grey's amendment. The debate was interrupted by the adjournment at 5.30. The House resumed at 7.30. Mr. Hursthouse continued his remarks, which were generally in favor of Government proposals. Sir William Fox followed on the same side. The whole discussion, he said, went to show that the ship was on the breakers, and it was time to put about. That was not the time to wrangle, Igut to set themselves to work to save the country. It had. been said the Property Tax was unpalatable ; but it would take a great deal to make any tax palatable. At the conclusion of a long and earnest speech, he counselled Government not to tinker with the great system of education. It might not be perfect in all its parts but he said stick to it and they would yet have cause to be proud of its results. Mr. Stevens also spoke on the Government side. He deprecated deducting a lump sum from the estimates. Each olass- of expenditure should be carefully gone" into, with a view of ascertaining what deductions could possibly be made. He considered a Property Tax far preferable to an IncomeTaxandless inquisitorial. The Beer Tax should be only half what was proposed, and tea and sugar duties be reimposed. He hoped the Government were honestly influenced with a desire to curtail expenditure, and if they were honest, he was sanguine they would achieve what had never been done by any previous Government. Mr. Tawhai protested against the , proposal of a tax on Native land. He considered that as the Natives had done nothing to cause the present distress, the Government should be handed to the four Native members. Mr, Dick said that if the Government were to follow all the advice they had got, he would wonder what would become of them. The Government could not re model the. estimates during the present session, as there was no time to give the matter the. attention it required. The House must therefore trust Ministers to do that work during the recess or put other men in their places. Mr. J. T. Fisher spoke against the Government being allowed twelve months to reduce expenditure, they should do it now. Mr. Speight moved the adjourment of the debate which was agreed to. The House rose at 12.20. Mr. Bryce has returned from the West Coast, and. reports, everything progressing favorably there. It is rumoured that the No Confidence motion will be withdrawn next week, without going to a division, and that the Opposition will wait for a move favorable opportunity to make an attack.