POLITICAL NOTES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2580, 30 September 1915, Page 3

POLITICAL NOTES

. THE UAND BILL. A Land Laws Amendment Bill, which was introduced by Governor's Message last evening, proposes some interesting alterations in the land laws. The regulation providing for -a width of 99ft. for main roads in a town and 66ft. for side-roads is amended to allow the Minister to authorise a narrower road where circumstances rendei it desirable. Whero the road is less than 66ft: wide, no building is •to be erected nearer than 33ft. from the middle of the road. - Provision is made for the acquisition of tho fee. simple, at .a price representing tho annual rent capitalised at the rato of five per cent, of Crown lands many, districts, the Hauraki and Vi'cstland milling districts being particularly mentioned. -Lessees of small grazing-runs may also acquire the freehold of the land they occupy even if in excess of the prescribed area, provided that, such ,additional area is in the opinion of the Land Board unsuitable for separate occupation. Another clause v provides that any Jroivn land leased under tho 1908 or uiy former Land Act may' be loaded ...frith the cost- of any roading, drainage,' or other works carried out for the improvement of such lands, and the capi-. tal value of the various holdings may bo' thus, added to in any proportion the Minister considers just. The respective leases will thereupon be deemed to be modified accordingly. Full provision is made for the remission of rents, where considered desirable, in favour of members of tho Expeditionary Forces, but no exemption shall operate so as to apply, to any ueriod after the expiry, of 'six months lvo'ni the date of a soldier's discharge from military service. Also authority is given for authorised agents to select lauu on behalf of members of the Expeditionary Forces or to represent them at land ballots.

INCOME TAX FIGURES.A return laid before the House of Representatives by the' 'Minister .of Finance yesterday on the motion' of ; Mr. G. Witty' shows that ' there are ,13,967 taxpayers who pay income tax. The numbers of taxpayers who pay taxes on various incomes is as follows: ■ —IO,IOJ persons on incomes under £700; 715 on incomes between £700 and £800; 535 between £800 and'£9oo; 372 .between £900 and £1000; 704 between £1000 and £1500; 573 between £1500 and £2000 ; 463 between £2000 end £3000; 147 between £3000 and £4000; .80 between £4000 and £5000; 88 between £5000' and £7000; 52 between £7000 and £10,000: 137 on incomes over £10,000. The following numbers pay the amounts specified in each case:—363 persons pay from 2s. 6d. to os.; 673 from ss. to 10s.; 1057 from 10s. to £1; 1685. from. £1 to, £2; 1422 from £2 to £3; 1077 from £3 to £4; 784 from £4 to £5;-1407 from £5 to £7; 1288. from £7 to £10; 1488 from £10 to £20; 648 from £20 to £30; 669 from £30 to £50; 1406 over £50. The total amounts of taxes charged for 1914-15. wore as f0110w:—4033 salaried persons were charged £24,676 12s. j .5368 traders, manufacturers, etc;, £106,728 18s, lOd.; 1590 companies,. £354,250 18s.- 6d.;. 1705 professional persons, £32,334 12s. 7d.; 1271 others, £20,852 Bs.. 2d. The above figures do not represent the revenue of the year, but the tax assessed for the year,» some of which was unpaid at March 31, 1914. The total net. incomes assessed for 1914-15 were as follow Salaried persons, £2,039,004; traders, manufacturers, etc., £4,119,167; companies, £0j486,301; professional persons, £1,320,7420ther5, £885,047: total, £13,850,26 L ■ .

EDUCATION RESERVES. The Education Reserves Amendment Bill, which is to be introduced this session by the Prime Minister, proposes to give lessees of education reserves the right to register under tlie Land Transfer Act. The real purpose of. the measure is to lessen the, difficulties 'of f'flanco now encountered by settlers who are lessees of education reserves.

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. ' The Friendly Societies Amendment Biil which the Hon. J. A. Hanan gave, notice of his intention to introduce in the House of Representatives last night proposes to. bring the New Zealand Act more into conformity with the English Friendly Societies', law, leaving the adoption' or otherwise of those systems for the betterment of': their financial position solely to be decided by the societies themselves. The intention'is not to impose' restrictions 1 or. to with the rights of societies to govern themselves. 1 Another pro'ufial is to rules of societies made, in good faith, with the object of. consolidating their funds. A modification of the payments of sick benefits in.respect of members of • the Expeditionary Force is prorided for. The principal clause is that authorising the consolidation of the ftnefit funds ! of societies ... and their' branches. " • >'.' .- ■