POLITICAL NOTES

Press, Volume XLIV, Issue 19389, 15 August 1928, Page 8

POLITICAL NOTES

[THE FBESS Sped*! Service.] WELLINGTON, August 14. Taxes on Motor Vehicles. Eelief from the payment of a considerable amount of the present taxation on heavy motor vehicles is sought in a number of petitions presented to Parliament to-day. Petitioners state that in addition to the annual license fees under the heavy traffic regulations they have to face special taxation in the form of a registration fee, and a license fee under the Motor Vehicles Act, the tyre tax, the petrol tax, and drivers' license fee. Those who are general carriers also have to pay the "plying for hire" fee. Direct hardship is claimed to have resulted from this taxation, and fear is expressed that unless immediate relief is afforded owners of heavy motor vehicles, many carriers now experiencing difficulty in carrying on their business will be obliged to discontinue. It is further asserted that motor transport generally is being restricted to the. detriment of the Dominion by reason of the taxation imposed. A Leading Case?

Payment of compensation to Oscar Slater is quoted as an argument in support of a petition presented to Parliament to-day by Mr G. R. Sykes (Masterton) on behalf of a native, Maata Mahupuku Asher, of Greytown. A judicial error in directing payment of the sum realised from the sale of a property to the Crown to one instead of two trustees is alleged by the petitioner, who instances the case referred to as showing that in cases where the Crown if interested in the proceedings it pays compensation for injuries caused by judicial error. "The most recent and notable example," says the petitioner, "is the English case of Oscar Slater, who has-been compensated merely because the Judge who presided at his first trial was held to have misdirected the jury." Petitioner claims compensation amounting to £16,000, together with a sum equal to the income she would have received had the funds paid to. the trustee not been embezzled. Provident Fund.

The annual report in the National Provident Fund presented to Parliament to-day says that the number of contributors to the fund at December 31st last was 30,618, an increase of 1177 over the previous year. The total income for the year amounted to £388,454 lis 3d, including £228,378 16s sdpaid by contributors and £101,303 19s 6d interest. The fund at the end of the year totalled £1,957,226 12s 9d, an increase of £304,324 14s 6d. The rate of interest earned for the year was £5 15s against £5 13s 6d for the previous year. The expenses of admin* istration in respect of ordinary contributore were at the rate of 22.8 per cent, as compared with 23.4 per cent, for the previous year. ', An Innuendo.

An innuendo alleging Party trickery was dealt with by the Prime Minister, Mr Ooates, in the House of Bepresentatives to-day. The Labour member for Auckland East, Mr J. A. "Lee, gave notice of bis intention to 1 ask the Prhae' Minister whether he had noticed the enquiry held recently in Australia in respect'to an alleged inducement being offered a candidate to vacate a seat for another, and whether, having regard to a statement made during the contest by a candidate at the Eden by. election in 1926, that she was offered a consideration amounting to a considerable sum, he had considered holding a similar enquiry in New Zealand, and whether any official inducements were offered during the week-end to candidates in Eoskill and Eden. , Although the question was in the form of a notice, to be answered later, the Prime Minister dealt with it there, and then, and he was on his.feet in an. instant. "I know of mo inducements offered to any candidate in New Zea. land," he declared with warmth. I refute and deny any such suggestion. , There is.no occasion.for me to reply fur» ther, more than to express regret that any member of the standirf of the hon. member for Auckland East should ask a question in the form of ; innuendo, which does discredit, to himself and members of Parliament in New Zealand." , The Prime Minister's rejoinder was greeted with, loud "Hear, hears." Confidence Beturning.

"I am confident that although there may be some difficulties aheaa, we shall win through, and' I am satisfied that the people of the Dominion have complete confidence in the .present Government," said Mr C. B. Bellrmger (Taranaki) in the House of Representatives during the financial debate to-mght. I know," said Mr Bellringer,;"that some six or eight months a feeling of-sball I say-discontent in the community. There was a feeling that the Government had not_ quite made good, that has gone. The feel ing of confidence has come back. To, day the Government is. stronger in the estimation of the people than it has ever been. They recognise that it has done good and effective .work <H ear, hear) and that it has been true to its trust." - ,_