STAMP DUTIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 249, 20 October 1922, Page 7

STAMP DUTIES.

A CONSOLIDATING BILI* EVASION CHECKED. (By Telegraph.— Presi Asioclatlon.) WELLINGTON", Thursday. In the House this afternoon the Prime Minister moved the second rending of the Stamp Duties Bill. He explained that it was a consolidating meaeure which might be referrcrl to the Statutes Revision Committee, but. as Sir .John Salmond had prepared it members might, very largely take it. on trust. The bill was urgently required in view of the amalgamation of the Stamps and Deeds Office and Land and Income Tax Department, which became the Department of Inland Revenues. Mr. T. M. Wilford. Leader of the Oppreition, expressed the greatest respert. for the work of Wr John Salmond. but said the snbje.t was si-.ch an important one, and the changes in some cases so radical, that he despaired of doing justice to the measure this He protested against it being put through, and would take no responsibility in the matter. The Hon. .1. H. Hanan (Imercargill) urged the Trime Minister not to rush the Bill through this session as the Houee cmild not possibly understand it in the tim? availa.be. The Ho:-.. K. P. Ten sn.M the matter was not r(i complicated aft; , ." all. Mut-H of it was pure consolidation, and the changes made were urgently required to save revenue which otherwise wouH He iosi. Mr. ' . K. Statham CDunedin Central) said he crnvsidcred it would have been better to have brought down a small liill dealing spe.-iucally with evasions in order to protect re\enuc. The discussion was continued in the owning, when Mr. W. D. Lysnar (fiieborne) said he favoured the patwine of the hill with a few committee amendments. Mr. T. K. SMey (Dunedin South) protested against ruehing such a Icnzt hy and complicated measure throi.gh so iate in the session. The Prime Minister, in rep'.y:n<r. defended the introduction of the bill. which was necessary to t!ie working of i The departments. I The bill was read a second t.inv. and was subsequently put through Committee with minor amendments and p.i«»d.