GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14761, 3 September 1913, Page 10

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

» (ABBIDOED PREBS ASSOCIATION REPORT.) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Tuesdat, Seitember 2. Tho greater part of tho afternoon sitting was occupied with a discussion on the report of the Public Service Commissioners. ARBITRATION' BILL. At the evening sitting, Tho Hon. Mr MASSE!' moved that the House disagree with the amendments made in the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act Amendment Bill. Hβ explained that there was a difference between an award and an industrial agreement. Those bound by the latter were only those who were parties to it, whereas an award might bind tho whole of the Dominion. A committee, consisting of Messrs Bradney,. Statham. Davoy, and Massey was set up to confer with a committee from tho Legislative Council on the amendment. LAND AND INCOME TAX BILL. The Land and Income Tax Bill was reintroduced by Governor's Message. The Hon. JAMES ALLEN explained that the Bill dealt with the graduated income tax, but owing to scientific inaccuracies in the schedule, that part of the Bill had to be reconsidered. This was duo to a muddle in the old law, for which he was not responsible, and he now sought to arrive at a thoroughly sound scientific gradation. Sir JOSEPH WARD said there was no muddle in the old law. He had heard all about scientific gradations, but the Minister would find that as time went on they would not work out. He' asked the Minister what additional revenue he expected to raise under the Bill in its present form, as compared with tho Bill as originally introduced. Mr LAURENSON suggested that they should double tho tax on every bachelor. Bachelors paid a mere fleabite in indirect taxation as compered with married men who had families.' Indirect taxation was the most oppressive and unjust form of taxation, but direct taxation touched those who could afford to pay. The amendments to the Bill were agreed to. PENSIONS BILL. On the motion for the third reading of the Pensions Bill, Mr BRADNEY suggested the taxing of theatre and picture show tickets to provide a portion of tho cost of universal pensions. Mr ISITT said that Mr Bradney's suggestion was a most vicious one. He pointed out that it meant taxing the poo? man's 3d picture show ticket for the same amount as the rich man's 10a ticket. The third reading of the Bill was agreed to. The House rose at 0.50 a.m.