POLITICAL NOTES

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18195, 4 October 1924, Page 12

POLITICAL NOTES

(srECIAL TO "TH* rRKSS.") WELLINGTON". October 3. The Debenture Tax. Speaking in the House of Representatives to-night on the Land and Income Tax Act Amendment Bill, which proposes to ease the mortgage tax. Mr Lysnar said it was no good helping the small men in this way if they could not get the money. It was not too late for the Government to increase the debenture tax. !M.r said tlio legislation Government was introducing left a difference between the two forms of taxation. Mr Lvsnar was thinking of only fourpence, or tho difference between 4s 6(1 and 4s 10d. "I am quite willing to equalise them," he added, don't think I can get members to understand the position." Mr Lvsnar: Oh. they would understand it. . Mr Masscv: T am not done with n vet, and if it is possible at all I will do it before the session comes to an end. Soldier Settlers. In the House to-day. replying to Mr Mackay, the Hon. A. D. Me.Lcod said that so long as soldier settlers paid some attention to official notices, and made somo explanation of their position to the Land Boards, they need fear no hardship from the Lands Department. Canterbury Petitions. In reference to the petitions of J. C. McLellan, for compensation for alleged wrongful arrest and reimbursement of legal costs, the M to Z Petitions Committee recommends that it be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. The committee 'also expressed the opinion that drastic investigation should be made into tho disappearance of money from certain letters that passed through the post office concerned. The petition of J. W. Thomson, of East Oxford, for compensation for loss of office as harbourmaster at Okarito bar, has been referred to the Government for consideration. The Defence Committee to-day reported on the petition of the Hei Hei soldier settlers. It states that the petition is one for attention by the Repatriation Department, and therefore recommends that it be referred to the Government for consideration. Teaching of Swimming. Cabinet has decided to increase the grant to the New Zealand Swimming Association from £IOO to £2OO, for the purpose of encjnraging the teaching of swimming at schools. State Shops. Mr Isitt to-day gave notice to ask the Prime Minister whether, seeing that the Government of Queensland has made a loss of £8.3,961 upon its State shops, he will, for the guidance of the House, secure a return showing which of these agencies pay, and those on which the loss has been made. Final Stages. In the House to-night the Hon. C. J. Parr moved the second reading of the Education Reserves Act Amendment Bill, which he explained was designed to provide for the better administration of education reserves, which were at present managed by the Lauds Department. The Bill was read a second time, put through Committee, and read a third time and passed. The Seddon Family Burial Ground Bill, which removes doubt. as to the legality of this private burial ground, was put through all its stages and passed. Stamp Duties Bill. The Prime Minister to-night moved the second reading of the Stamp Duties Act Amendment Bill, to which he brought down a numbor of further amendments. The Bill was read a second time, the new amendments being referred to the Statutes Revision Committee.