IMPREST SUPPLY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13876, 29 October 1910, Page 9

IMPREST SUPPLY.

On the motion to go into Committeo on the Imprest Supply Bill, Mr MASSEY congratulated tho Ministry, Parliament, and the country on the improved state of the Dominion _ finances. He, however, intended to move an amendment as follows:—"Th it as sinco last session tho revenue of the Dominion has considerably increased, it is to bo further augmented by legislation now before the House, and »s already more than sufficient for *"he ordinary purposes of the Government, and unnecessary taxation is harassing to the people, tho Houso is of opini m that the surtax provided for in tho Customs Duties Act, 1909, should be abolished forthwith." Mr Massey supported his amendment by arguments drawn from tho state of the finances disclosed by the statenii.it just mado by the Prime Minister, and said there was a growing impression that tho country was being overtaxai. It was the duty of tho Government to legislate in the direction of lessening the burdens of tlio pcoplo and increasing confidence, which would have the effect of increasing the exports of the Dominion.

Sir JOSEPH WARD ex_ress3d astonishment at Mr Massey's action in moving tho _ amendment. He recalled tho anxious period ho had passed through as Minister of Finance during the recent depression, and the criticism of the Opposition against the Government's finance. Mr Massey's action was actuated by political motives. The £50.000 raised, by tlie surtax was an infinitesimal sum per head of tho population. Money was required to meet the expenses incurred in strengthening the British Navy by providing a Dreadnought. Mr Massey overlooked th. remissions in railway charges, Customs duties, and jtostal charges, which amounted to enormous sums. This was an unfair attitude for Mr Massey to adopt. Referring to the Public Works Statement, the Prim© Minister said tho proposals therein would be very satisfactory, although it would be impossible to meet the demands for expenditure on Public Works by millions. It was a stranp-e procedure en the part of Mr Massey to move an amendment liaving the effect of red-ic-ing tho money available for Public Works beforo he had an opportunity of seeing the proposals contained in the Public Works Statement. He did not know how it was possible to oass legislation which would increase the Dominion's exports as suggested by Mr Massey. Mr JAMES ALLEN said tho Government should not have allowed Mr Massey to tako the lead in the matter. The surtax was imposed o-o'ing to i temDorary falling in revenue. It "*-as only right that it should now bo removed, seeing that the revenues had recovered. The surtax was not being paid by the rich. The Prime Minister had anticipated an increase in revenio of £331,000, but if the present rate of increase were maintained it would run into £1,000,000. Ho went on to combat tho statements of the Prime Minister generally, and denied that the Dominion s finances were sound. In regard to Public Works, tho habit had been formed of finding a certain amount of money and then scrambling for it. After further discussion Mr Massey's amendment was defeated by 44 votes to 28. - The House rose at 5.30 p.m.