THE WANT OF CONFIDENCE DEBATE. {Ptr United Press Aeiociation.) Wellington, Ju'y 80. The House met 2.20. Mr G. W. Bussell resumed the no-oon fidence debate. He compared the last two Financial Statements made by Mr BalUnce with that just brought down by the Uon Mr Seddon, and said there waa an absence of a broad liberal spirit in the Hon Mr Seddon's Budget. Sir Boberfc Stont had made out that there was an actual deficit in this year's Statement, but according " to his (Mr Bubboll's) calculations there was a genuine surplus for the year of £182,000. Discussing the question of taxation, he pointed out that since 1888 there had been a steady in crease in the load put on the masses of the people, but direct taxation on property was growing less, and this was a matter that the Government should take Reriously into consideration. He objected that the Government were going to borrow a million of money to spend in various ' parts of the colony, so that places like Canterbury, Otago, Helson and Marl boi-ough, whioh were already settled, would be taxed for public works, from which they derived no benefit. The proper way would be to localise the re sponsibility for these works. He de plored the fact that Canterbury and Otapfo had increased very little in popu lation, whilst Auckland, Wellington, Ha^ke's Bay and Taranasi had largely increased owing to the large amount of public money poured into these districts, which was not the case in Canterbury and Otago. He was returned to the House as a member of the Liberal Patty, and although he should not back down in the opinions 116 held independently in the House, he should not put himself in the position of helping Captain Bussell to carry his motion, which might result in {tutting the Conservative Party in power. Mr Willis praised the administration of the present Government, and said the colony had been in a state of stagnation for a long time before they came into power. He did not approve of all the Government did, .but he Asserted that their advent to power had been the means of putting the colony in a good position He warmly approved of State firt insurance, and thought it waa one matter which the Government should take up. 