PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 35, 4 October 1912, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (Per Press Association.) Wellington, October 3. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. Ihe McCarthy Trust Bill was put through all its stages. Public Service Bill, Mr Jones resumed the debate on the Public Service Bill. There was not, lie said, very much enthusiasm for the measure. It seemed to him that it really provided for Ministerial control under a maze of phrases. Referring to one form of political patronage, namely, preference to Roman Catholics, he cited figures to show that of 4800 employees in the Postal Department, the percentage of Roman Catholics was 16.79, while the population proposition for 15 years was 10.19 per cent. The percentage of Roman Catholics in the railway service was no more than 15 per cent. No single reason had been given, for the acceptance of the Bill. To give power to Parliament was merely to give it to the Ministry of the day, which made no change from the present position. They could not dodge political influences, try how they would. This, he continued, was one of the twin measures of the Government, but he hoped it would go the same way as the Legislative Council Reform Bill. It. was not an Open attempt to control and do justice to the civil service; it was the creature of a mere phantasy that was conjured up for political purposes.

Mr Barr supported the Bill, which was an endeavour to meet a difficult problem. Many American and Continental cities were adopting commissiojier control for ...their enterprises with satisfactory results, and he approved of the experiment here. The Bill would encourage ability, and that was proper in the interests of all. Mr Barr proceeded to criticise some of the phrases of the Bill.

The Council rose, till 8 p.m. | The Council resumed at 8 p.m. on the Public Service'Bill. Mr, Rigg said that reform of the Civil Service was perhaps necessary, but it was the duty of the Ministry and not of paid commissioners to undertake this reform. It was a question of political patronage, or patronage by commissioners. Ministers, if abuses were proved, could be put out of office, but commissioners could not be dispensed with unless at the conclusion of their engagements. Mr Carncross said that if the Government voluntarily chose to deprive itself of patronage, so as to bring forward such a measure at this, it showed that their motive was at least pure, and that must be appreciated. The present Government had made the Bill a plank of its platform, so it had been before the people, who had not condemned it.

Mr Loughnan said that he would have preferred to see the Government shouldering their responsibilities instead of, as it seemed, shirking them. The Bill was a departure from democratic principles. Mr Paul said that there were dangers in administration by commissioners, just as in patronage by a Minister. ' The time was coming when most of the State workers would be managed by a commissioner, but the workers would have direct representation among these commissioners. The debate was adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met Reciprocity with Australia. Replying to Mr Buxton respecting the question of a reciprocal tariff with Australia, Mr '-Massey said that steps were being taken; to arrange a conference between representatives of Australia, New Zealand and Canada. It was also possible that South Africa would be represented at the conference. The Education Commission. The report of the Education Commission was, on Mr Allen’s motion, referred to the Education Committee for consideration, after a discussion, at the close of which, Mr Allen admitted that there were anomalies in the present law, but that they could not be altered this year. Something, he said, would have to be done to alter the methods of voting for boards, and this matter would be attended to next session. Various Bills. The Justices of the Peace Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. The Pharmacy Amendment Bill was passed. The Auckland University College Amendment Bill, which

provides for alteration of representation on tlie Board on a proportional system was read a .second time. Land and Income Tax. Mr Allen moved the second reading of the Land Tax and Income Tax Bill. The mover said that the Bill was an annual one, and had already been explained. Mr Milford described the Bill as a farce. It was so constituted that it would make every member vote for it. It was cleverer than Maskyline and Cook’s cabinet trick. The effect of that Bill and the Valuation Bill worked together would mean that some large land-owners would get concessions. It was a tip-top Bill for that class. The House then adjourned. . The House resumed at 7.30. Mr Laurenson continued the debate on the Land and Income Tax Bill. He said that no 1 one could vote against the Bill, though they knew it was a eham. Nominally the Bill proposed to effect a tax, but actually it did nothing of the sort. The Bill would not break up one estate in the country. Mr E. Newman held that on the present valuation 371 people paid extra taxation under the Bill. He thought the taxation was a reasonable one, and was convinced that the Opposition was concerned at the progress made by the Government, despite the short time they had been in office. Sir Joseph Ward isaid that the Government had adopted the suggestions contained in the Governor’s speech of February last, and the present Opposition could not be expected to vote against their own policy. The Liberal party had always advocated the exemption of improvements. The principle of exempting was a thoroughly sound and thoroughly effective one. The extra twenty-five per cent, taxation was never intended to produce revenue, but to induce large landowners to cut up their estates. He advocated fixing a high graduated tax, to come into operation two or three years hence, so as to induce largo land holders to cut up their estates. In connection with income tax, hd thought ,a man with a large family should bo in a different position to a bachelor or a man with one or two , children. He enjoined tho Minister of Finance to proceed warily, or else the country might stumble into a financial pit-fall. Mr Payne described tho land tax as a sham and a pretence. Tho Labour Party would like completely to stop the unearned increment going into private pockets.

Mr Russell stated that the programme of the Reform Party prior to the election provided for a reduction of, taxation wherever possible. There was no reference to an increased graduated land tax; Not i Copper had been taken off'. Customs taxation so as to lessen the cost of living. A great many people were entitled to reduction before- the man who had a farm worth £IO,OOO. Mr Isitt said that he would have to vote for the Bill, but notwithstanding that he, .despised it, (1 Bpfcaiise he looked upon .it las I ’a ToryvHib&rfiige, ’a piece of property scenery 1 . Mr Fisher- suggested that the Liberal Party had been the biggest protectors' of - It had failed to carry , out its trust to the people in the way of-reducing land monopoly, as the number of big estates existing after twenty years of Liberalism would show. ,For the first time an equitable scale- of taxation was imposed. Mr Allen having briefly replied, the second reading was. agreed to. Public Trust Office. The Public Trust Office Amendment Bill, providing, inter alia, for the appointment of Deputy Public Trustees in the four chief centres, -and for temporary advances to the Public Trustee was read a second time. Haurakl Drainage. The Hauraki Plains Amendment Bill providing for the raising of £25,000 additional for drainage works was read a second time. The House rose at 12.45.