HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12961, 14 November 1907, Page 8

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, November 18. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.30 p.m. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. In reply to questions, Ministers stated:— That the Government during the recess will consider the advisability ot ■introducing legislation to increase the graduation of the income tax. That the Government do not consider the time has arrived for the State pioduction of coal for gas-making purposes. That the present arrangements for tho carriage of coal -by sea are considered satisfactory, but with further development and the consequent increaso in the output from the State mines, the question of procuring Stateowned steamers will have to bo considered. That it appears hopeless to try to do enything for clerks. Legislation has been brought forward to try to help them, and they have petitioned by hundreds that their relations with their employers should not be disturbed. That the sale of newspapers by childien is difficult to regulate undue harshness. The question will receive due •attention. That enquiry is 'being made ac to th« best means to adopt for the prevention of fires on wool snipe, and it is hoped that a Bill will be submitted next sesaion. That it has been arranged that the Stationery Department will pay fcho postage upon auc-h publications as the "Year Book," to enable purchasers in other parts of. iho Dominion to obtain these at the same cost us Wellington residents. This doee not apply to "Gazettes" and other publications, issued at short intervals. The House rose at 5.30 p.m.