§ MR. W. H. SMITH,in moving that leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the Law relating to the Valuation of Rateable Property in Ireland, said, that under the existing law a borough or portion of a county could not be re-valued by itself. The result of that system had been that there had been no re-valuation, no change in the adjustment of property in Ireland for the last 25 years, although there had been great changes, indeed, in the value of the property. The Grand Juries had power to apply for revisions of the counties; but, as it would increase the charges on their neighbours or friends, it was seldom that they did so. In the present measure it was proposed to frame a new Schedule of prices. That Schedule was to be based on exactly the same basis as the Schedule to the Act of 1852, and the most careful statement of those prices had been obtained from the principal market 1074 towns of Ireland. The terms of the Act of 1852 were based on the average of three years' prices—namely, the average of 1848–9–51, and it was proposed that the Schedule in the present measure should be based on the average of the prices for 1874–5–6. Under the old system, the whole expense fell on the counties; but it was now proposed that only half of the expense of the re-valuation should be borne by the county, and the other half by the Exchequer. There was also provision that from time to time new Schedules of prices should be obtained by the authority of the Lord Lieutenant. The hon. Gentleman concluded by making the Motion.
§ CAPTAIN NOLANsaid, he did not intend to offer any opposition to the Bill at that stage. It might settle many inequalities and anomalies in Ireland. He hoped the second reading would be postponed until the Bill was printed and the people of Ireland had had sufficient time to consider its provisions.
§ MR. BUTTsaid, that the people in Ireland had borne their fair share of taxation for a very long time, and they would not complain if this Bill tended to lessen their burdens.
§ MR. PARNELLdid not see what the object of the Bill was. It would probably raise the valuations and press heavily on the farmer, especially for arable land, the occupiers of which would have their valuation increased, both for their improvements and from the rise in prices.
Motion agreed to.
Bill to amend the Law relating to the Valuation of Rateable Property in Ireland, ordered to be brought in by Mr. WILLIAM HENRY SMITH, Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH, and Mr. ATTORNEY GENERAL for IRELAND.Bill presented, and read the first time. [Bill 102.]