HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 55, 14 September 1928, Page 11

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The House of Representatives met at 8,30 p.m. Tho House proceeded straight into Committee of Supply. The Industries and Commerce, Treasury, and Land and Income Tax Department Votes were passed without discussion. Speaking on the Vote for the Stamp Duties Department, Mr. J. A. Lee (Auckland East) asked why it had been decided to issue no further licenses for the sale of postage stamps. The Minister of Finance said tho matter was really one for the Post and Telegraph Department. A number of people liked the right to sell stamps not so much for the sake of the remuneration but because it brought business to them. An arrangement had now been made to leave those who already had licenses intact and only to grant additional licenses on the condition that no commission was paid. Mr. E. J. Howard (Ciiristchurch South) said that tho position • was not quite as tho Minister stated, for if one . approached tho Post Office he was referred to the Stamp Duties Department. He could not see why permission should not bo given to any store to sell stamps. Departments should not be considered, but the convenience of the public. The Leader of tho Opposition (Mr. H. E. Holland) said a storekeeper had to take out a bond of £100 to sell stamps and made practically nothing out of their sale. In addition, he had to take a certain number of stamps before he was given permission to sell. The Minister of. Finance said the whole matter was under review. Ho understood one of the reasons for imposing limitations was that some big firms used to get themselves licensed to sell stamps and obtain a discount. They did not sell any stamps, however. Tho vote was passed, (Proceeding.)