NEW SOUTH WALES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5349, 29 August 1895, Page 3

NEW S OUTH WALES.

PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS. [Special to Pbess Association,! SYDNEY, August 29. In the Assembly the Premier moved tbe second reading of the Land and Income Tax Bill. He said it was practically the same as that previously introduced. The main alteration was that there would be three instead of one Commissioner in charge. The Collecting Department would be worked in conjunction with other departments, and would, therefore, entail few fresh appoint ments and litile additional expense. Other alterations made it clear that no part of the absentee tax could be passed on by au absentee to any resident interested in the taxed lands. Mutual life insurance on which tax is paid is reduced from £15 to J650. S The income tax is altered so aB not to include estimated returns derivable from improvements required for business purposes. Mr Lyne, the leader of the Opposition, said tbe general outlook was of a gloomy description, The result of the debate so far shows that considerable opposition may be expected, even from a number of Government supporters, as to the incidence of the taxes. In the Legislative Council the Attorn ey- ' General explained the provisions ot the Bill for the reform of tha Council, and iit was read a first time. Mr | Pigott moved a protest against the etateI ment made by the Premier at a public meeting, that' " the Counoil is rotten and corrupt, the House is scandalous and false." He complained that Mr Eeid had repeatedly made equally strong statements just before going to the country on the question of Council reform. They were as scandalous as they were false, and the Council must clear itself of such imputations. The Attorney-General said it was Bimply election talk. Worse things had been said about Mr Beid. Councillors had no right to attach to the words the meaning that they had attributed to them. The motion waa carried by 26 to 8, the majority of the latter boing new members.