THE DAY IN PARLIAMENT

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 14, 17 July 1923, Page 7

THE DAY IN PARLIAMENT

A fitting tribute to the lengthy and faithful public service of the late Sir William Fraser was the first Parliamentary duty yesterday, the House of Representatives adjourning after half an hour's sitting as a mark of respect to the deceased legislator, who had so long been a front bench figure, both in Opposition and as a Minister of the Crown. The Financial debate was resumed at the evening sitting . There have been several disappointments over the expected end of this discussion. It was due last week, but a few provocative speeches gave the discussion fresh life, though not much brilliance. However, it came to an end during the early hours of this morning with a discnrsive speech from the Prime Minister, who, in the hour allotted to him, plus a small extra allowance, was quite unable to deal with all his critics. His_ taxation references' showed an anxiety to first relieve the country of the high rates, and then consider auomalies. An ideal which he mentioned, but admitted was impossible of achievement; was the elimination of the land taj£, in favour of the income tax. Now the way is clear for the fifteen Government Bills on the Order Paper, foremost being the measure which greatly extends the scope of the State Advances Department's loans.