HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6089, 19 November 1887, Page 4

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Friday, Nov. 18. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.30. ". ' petitions. Petitions were presented in favour of the Jteration of the route of the Northern "Trunk line, Bible-reading in schools, and State assistance to denominational schools. passed. Tie Wedeyan Methodist Church Property Trust Bill was read a third time and passed. .■■■•.••.<■-■,•.. QUESTIONS. Mr Joyce asked the Government if it is contemplated by the Financial Statement delivered on Tuesday fortnight to dispense with the cervices of Mr Maxwell, General Manager of Railways, who is now on a trip to Europe. The Hon Major Atkinson said that if the Railway Boards Bill were passed by the Houbc, it was clear that the present Manager's services would not be required. He could not say further at present. Mr Joyce asked the Government if they will amend the defective clauses of the Xicenring Act, 1881, in the direction of making it compulsory for Clubs to pay the annual license zee mentioned in the Act. The Hon T. W. Hielop said it was not intended to bring down an; Licensing Amendment Act this session. Mr Tatlos asked the Government if they will next session bring in a Board of Inland Revenue Bill, to which shall be paid all license fees received by local authorities, such Board to have power to distribute the proceeds from such licensing fees amongst the several local bodies upon a population basis. The Hon Major Atkinson said he could not make any promise in this direction at the present time. Mr Mos3 asked the Government if, with the view to a more complete revision of the' Tariff, promised in the Financial Statement, they will appoint a Royal Commission to collect information and to report as to the changes in the Tariff best calculated to encourage local industries, by securing for their products the supply of the local market in all cases where that supply may be capable, or readily. made capable, of fully meeting local demand. The Hon Major Atkinson said the Government had no intention at the present time to propose such a Commission as this* as they thought that with such information as was at present within their reach they would be able to have a satisfactory Tariff to all parties. If they could not gain sufficient information they would take the responsibility of appointing a Royal Commission. Sir J. Yogel asked the Premier when the Government proposed to circulate Bills on the Order Paper which have been read a first time. The Hon Major Atkinson said that come of the Bills would be ready in a few days, but he should take care that the House was kept fully occupied with Government business. •■ • Sir J. Yogel moved the adjournment of the House. He said the tactics now being pursued by Major Atkinson were similar to those which had formerly been pursued when in office, and which were so justly execrated throughout the country, namely, those of keeping everything back to the lastmoment. He complained that the House ■knew really very little of the policy of the Government, and he went on to refer at great length to the policy as shadowed forth In .the Financial Statement. He would ask whether the House had any hope whatever of the Government Policy Bills being carried through, or did it think the Government were strong enough to carry them. He referred to the position occupied by the Government, when they only kept that position by impressing on their supporters that if the Government were displaced he (Sir J. Yogel) would come back to power. It was a great compliment to pay him, that he possessed such power. He had, however, a proposal to make. There were several members who had stated they were sent to the House expressly to keep him out of the Government, amongstthose gentlemen beingthe members representing Auckland North, Auckland West,.and Waipawa. He now challenged any of those members to resign their seats, and he would contest them in order to ascertain the feeling of the country with respect to him. Ho included the Premier in the challenge, and was quite willing to contest the Egmont seat with him. He twitted Major Atkinson with not having spoken in the finance debate, and complimented Mr Fisher on the manner in which he had improved his position in the House. He told the Premier that it'was simply beating the air discussing the Financial Statement till the policy Bills were brought down. Mr Seddon also spoke to a similar effect. Sir J. Voqel added that the best way of saving the time .of the House would be that the finance discussion should be postponed till the Government had circulated their measures. He warned the Government that they would be consulting their own interests by adopting this-course. He commented adversely upon the silence of Ministers after the remarks he had made. Mr Buchanan asked the Government whether they will abolish free railway passes to members of both Houses, except during the sitting of Parliament, and for one week prior to and after each session. The Hon Major Atkinson said the Goverment had no such intention. Mr Joyce asked the Government whether they will, in order to maintain the great beneficial results flowing from the educational system of New Zealand, move this Parliament for authority to impose an annual tax of £1 per head for three years only upon the adult male population of the Colony; also £2 per head on bachelors over thirty years of age ; also a sum of £5 per head upon all bachelors and spinsters over thirty ye.ars of, age who are worth property of the value of and upwards. The Hon Major Atkinson said the Government had no intention of proposing such a tax as'that referred to. Mr Joyce asked the Government whether they will support a resolution to reduce, Bay for three years, the exemption of £500 to .£IOO under the Property-tax Assessment Act, so that the revenue which would thus accrue to the Colonial Exchequer may be credited to the cause of education, and that no reductions either in teachers salaries, or in the practical administration of Education Acts shall be made for the next three years. The Hon Major Atkinson replied in the negative. ' Mr Beetham asked the Minister for Public Works if the Government will grant some concessions with respect to coal carried by the Railway Department for lighting purposes in the inland towns of New Zealand. The Hon Major Atkinson was sorry that Government could make no reduction at present in the price. NEW BILLS. The following Bills were introduced :— Bill to amend the Land Act, 1885 (Sir G. Grey); Brokers and Real Estate Agents Bill (Mr Seddon); Bill to amend the Mines Act, 1886 (Mr Richardson).