POLITICAL AFFAIRS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2554, 31 August 1915, Page 6

POLITICAL AFFAIRS

— — POINTS IN THE BUDGET ! ' DEBATE MAY BE^POSTPONED It is still possible that tho debato on the Financial Statement may not be commenced this ovening, as was intended. Mr. Massey said last night that tho Government might wish to go on with >- other urgent business to-day, and if |> there was delay in getting this business 1- through, the Budget debate would, per--11 liaps, not come on this evening. Concerning the. Budget debate, it is not at k all certain how it will open. Ordinarily I- the debate is opened by the Leader of the Opposition, but now Sir Joseph '-. Ward has ascended to the Treasury r Benches, who shall say upon whom e his mantle has descended ? Mr. Wilford 9 occupies the seat of the Leader of the > Opposition, but he denies that lie is the h Leader, in fact. One thing is certain, - that there will be a debate, and au.in--6 teresting'one., " THE PETROLEUM DUTIES. a "! GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE ACTION, e The Government proposes to take ace tion regarding the action of certain wholesale and retail sellers of petroleum e products .in. adding to tho price of thesea goods the amount of tho Customs duty i- of id. per gallon now payable on them, E although the stocks on TVhicli the extra - price is being charged ,have not, been e subject to the new duty.' It appears e that while some retailers are still sellr ing kerosene at the old rates, others li have added the duty to their price. It - is just possible that the Bill, to give s effect to- the Government's intention - will come, before the House to-day.' J "The Government is going to tackle - this matter," said the Prime Minister e last evening.- "It was .referred, by my- -) self; to the Attorney-General to-day. • The report has not yet come to hand, i; but the subject •will be dealt' with by the Government. We cannat permit 3 what is taking,place to go on." 9 THE TAX ON WAR PROFITS, I WOOL AND MEAT. ' a " A reference to that portion if the Budget proposals which is intended as a tax on war profits—tho application i of the income; tax to income derived o from laud—was made 'by the Prime s Minister in av interview last. evening, a "This tax, which will 'apply to profits made during the war period," said Mr.. Massey,. "is - not intended-, to - affect ■ if small farmers, but it is, intended to d reach those men who linve made large . ,t extra profits owing to the increases in [- prices, particularly of wool and meat." e It was poirfted out to Mr. Massey that - i- it had been suggested that some allow>r ance should he made 'in> the case of; y .those who have ,made generous sub-, scriptions to the patriotio funds. "J can express no ■ opinion upon that point," was the Prime Minister's reply- . .. ■' '