FEDERAL FINANCE PROPOSALS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20085, 14 November 1930, Page 13

FEDERAL FINANCE PROPOSALS.

—-^ — SCHEMES CONDEMNED. ATTACK BY OPPOSITION. (IWITEB P3ESS ASSOCIATION-" ay BMSeriHG TBLSORAPn—COryaiGJIT,) CANBERRA, November 13. On- a formal motion in the House that tho Acting-Treasurer's financial Statement be printed, Mr J» Q. Latham, Leader of the Opposition, condemned the proposals, which, if given effect, would involve a policy of inflation and repudiation, and an increase in unemployment, The country's credit had never been lower. The income tax proposal waa unjust. A personal exertion income of £4OO, whieh last year paid £6 4s, would have to pay &13 2s, and the tax on the same ineome from property would be increased from £lO 10s to £56 Gs. A personal exertion income of £2OO was exempt, but the same income from property would pay 4521 14s. Mr J. Curtin (Western Australia), explaining the financial poliey of a section of the Party, said Labour was more concerned about the welfare of the people than the Interest on internal debts. The State and Commonwealth Parliaments should contemplate at least a three-year period to restore the financial equilibrium, an-1 the Commonwealth Bank should restore its note issue to tho per capita requirements of the people. Mr J. E. Fenton (Acting-Prime Minister), moving the adjournment, SftM the reason he was unable to rtfply to Various questions regarding Sir Otto Niomeyer's visit was that he was awaiting word from Sir Otto Niemeyer on tho, subject of certain information in cable messages that had passed between him and the Government. If Sir Otto did not desire the messages to be made public, Mr Fenton said he would be unable to make a statement. SIR OTTO NIEMEYER DEPARTS. SPEECH TO JOURNALISTS. \ " (Received November 13th, 9.20 p.m.) • SYDNEY, November 13, A passenger by the Niagara, which sailed for Auckland this afternoon, Sir Otto Niemeyer, who has been staying in the country for tho past few days, to escape interviewers, did not know until the last minute th.it Sir Otto was leaving- He maintained his reputation of reserve by remarking: "I have nothing to say about anything," At a Journalists' Institute luncheon, however, he said the Bank of England had intervened in Australian financinl and economic affairs because she was asked to «lo so. It should be remembered that twice in the last five years the Bank of Englapd had, at its own expense, and for no motive whatever except that of public service, sent representatives to Australia. "Any views," he added, "which I have expressed in -this country were not political views Whether vou agree with them or not, they were framed us n result of an impartial study of Australian conditions. 1

MOVE TO SUSPEND MR

THEODORE.

RULED OUT OF ORDER.

(Received November 13th, 11 p.m.) CANBERRA, November 13.

The Speaker of tho House of Representatives, Mr W. J. O. Malcin, ruled out of order a motion by Mr J. G. Lathg.ni, Leader of the Opposition, for tho suspension of Mr E. G. Theodore, formerly Federal Treasurer. Later, Mr Latham asked: "Is tho Aettng-Prlme Minister prepared to take actiou to amend the Standing Orders to enable the House to protect its honour and dignity, in the case of members being: found guilty of fraud, dishonesty, and corruption!" Mr J. E. Fenton, the Acting-Prime Minister, declined to amswer a question couched in such terms.