POLITICAL NOTES.

Bruce Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 73, 17 September 1917, Page 3

POLITICAL NOTES.

k ' +9 » MOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. "~~ THE FINANCE BILL. BEFORE ThA LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. i rr» WELLINGTON, September 14. The Finance Bill is now in the Legislative Council, and the public may be prepared for some heart-to-heart talks •by the councillors. The benefit of having a bi-eameral system of Parliamentary Government is frequently seen in New Zealand. The Loan Bill was altered considerably by the Council, and for the good*of the community generally. It will not be difficult to improve the Finance Bill, and the Council may make such suggestions as will be accepted by the Government. Jn the House of Representatives many suggestions -for improvement were made, but the Financial Treasurer would not accept them. However, he did take a few, among them one giving relief to the parents of large families. He also increased the exemption for shareholders of companies to £4OO, and slightly increased 'the allowances for small mortgages. The Council may induce Sir Joseph Ward to tax shareholders upon their net income from all sources, and thus further prevent grave injustice to individuals with small means. THE 'ESTIMATES. The Finance Bill being out of the way, it was "possible to take up the Estimates in earnest. On Friday the Post Office and Railway estimates were put through. There was not much opposition offered to the Post office. This department is, generally speaking, well managed, and members have very little cause of complaint with anything connected with it. Mr Wilford made some facetious suggestions that the slot telephones should be called "Ellephones" in compliment to Mr H. G. Ell, who, when Postmaster-general, installed the first machines of this class. Sir Joseph Ward was not impressed with the suggestion, as he feared this name would be corrupted by a misuse of the aspirate. Mr Ell certainly deserves commendation for having introduced this useful branch of the telephone service, but he should receive a better memorial than the one suggested.