GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2215, 16 June 1891, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HODdB OF EBPEBBBNTATITBS. The House met at 2,80 p.m. THE LAND BIZiIi. Mr McKenzie gave notice of the introduction of the Land Bill. THE UNEMPLOYED DIFFICULTY. Mr Fishei mored a series of resolutions respecting the unemployed difficulty. The Premier said that the Government agreed with the spirit of the resolutions, and as the whale question was under consideration by the Government, who would shortly make proposals on the subject, he suggested that the resolutions be withdrawn for the present. Mr Fisher agreed to the suggestion. the customs taeipp. Mr Fisher moved an amendment of the Customs Tariff, so as to remove the duties now placed on the necessaries of life, and that the loss of revenue frem this be made good by an additional duty being placed on certain articles. The Premier said that the amount of duty which Mr Fish proposed to abolish by bis resolutions wa5£263,000, and the value of the luxuries proposed to be taxed was £55,000. In order to make up the duty thus lost to the colony no leas than a hundred per cent would have to be pat on the luxuries. The Government could not agree to the motion. A discussion ensued, which was interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment. The debate will be resumed on Tuesday.

Tan ADDBE3S VS KSStTC. Mr McGuire moved the Address in Eeply. He suggested taxing totalisater tickets to the extent of 6d each, bv which sufficient revenue could be obtained to pay the coat of charitable aid. He would like to sea the system of perpetual lease and deferred payment enacted in a more advanced form than they had at present. He was thoroughly in sympathy with the present education system, but the boards should be abolished and sohool committees be in direct communication with the Minister. He hoped reciprocity would ensue. The sooner the Bankruptcy Bill was removed of the Statute Book the better it would be for the commercial community generally. Mr Buick seconded the motion. He was pleased that the Government bad the backbone to carry out retrenchment, and intended to place the Civil Service ou a better footing than it ever was before. As to the reconciliation of capital and labor he was opposed to legislation in this matter, but if it was to be done it must be of an intricate and delicate character. He'was glad to see that the Government intended to impose a tax on land values, and he favored the Electoral Bill, but in order to remove improper pressnre by employers over employes, the result of the poll at small country booths should not be declared, but the boxes be returned to the chief booths Mr Rolleston asked the Premier to consent to an adjournment of the debate until Tuesday. Mr Ballance objected. Mr Bryce said that owing to the extraordinary action of th® Government he felt compelled to move the adjournment of the debate. He said that the giving way by the strong side of the House to the weak side would not be time lest, and strongly contended they should give heed to this request of the Opposition, (Opposition cries: “We have no leader!”), fie repudiated any intention of discourtesy to the Government. The motion for adjournment was negatived on the voices The Address in Eeply was then adopted. The House rose at 9.10 p.m. until Tuesday afternoon.