PARLIAMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 257, 30 October 1929, Page 10

PARLIAMENT.

LAND TAX BILL.

DEBATE IN COUNCIL.

(By Telegraph.—l'ress Association.)

WELLINGTON, Tuesday,

The second reading debate on the Land and Income Tax Amendment Biil commenced iu the Legislative Council today. bir James Allen said he could not sec why farmers should be specially picked cut to provide extra taxation. Wiiercas in 1917 the war supertax amounted to 50 per cent additional on all laud tax, under the present bill above £30,000 taxable value the tax was doubled. That made unfair discrimination, and he regarded it as an injustice. He did not Object to extra taxation, but it should not be on essential services. He entered an emphatic protest against placing an extra burden on those who constituted the backbone of the country.

The Hon. J. A. Hanan said it was not true to say that farmers would be hard Lit. The great majority would not be alTectecl. The Hon. V. H. Reed defended the large landowners, pointing out that they had started from "scratch" and had built up the country's production. He deplored the legislation, which, he said, would dampen Jhe enthusiasm of the farming community. The whole country, including the towns, would feel the effects of the bill, for land values must depreciate under heavier taxation. Moreover, tlio bill would prevent the flow of new capital towards the land. The debate was adjoiuned. The Marriage Laws. The House to-day agreed to the amendments made by the Legislative Council to the Marriage Amendment Bill introduced by Mr. H. G. R. Mason (Labour — Auckland Suburbs). Mr. Mason stated they were improvements which did not in any way alter the effect of the bill. Films Bill Dropped. . The Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. de la Perrelle, who had given notice of intention to ask leave to introduce the Cinematograph : Films Amendment Bill, intimated in the House to-day that he did not intend to proceed with the measure.