LICENSING AND TAXATION

Evening Star, Issue 18030, 26 July 1922, Page 4

LICENSING AND TAXATION

IS DISCUSSION FUTILE?

[From Our Parliamentary Reporter.]

WELLINGTON, July 25,

Some members of (he House, take the view that if the Government, is not going to legislate on licensing or taxation this session, it would' be futile to discuss these subjects on the presentation of the reports from the Select Committee on Reform of the Licensing Laws and the Royal Commission on Taxation. The matter was raised by Mr Wilford to-day, the leader of tho Opposition desiring to know if the Government intended to bring in Bills dealing with these subjects; “otherwise,” added ilr Wilford, “it will be a waste of time to debate them.”

Mr Massey replied: There will bo no licensing legislation this session. Mr Wilford: Then it will bo useless discussing the report. Mr Massey: “No, it docs not follow. Personally, I think there will be a very interesting discussion.” Ho added that lie would give move than one afternoon to the subject if required. The Taxation Commission’s report was in the hands of the Government Printer, who was rushed with work, so that there would be at least one week’s delay. There would bo the usual Land and Income Tax Bill; also a bigger measure dealing with the assessment of land and income tax. It would thus cover subjects in the report, though not necessarily following its recommendations. Sir John Luke: Will you alter the company taxation? Mr Massey: “ I shall ask members to bo patient until I bring in the Bill.” He promised Mr Wilford Unit after the reciprocal agreement with _ Australia was introduced some opportunity would bo given members of considering it before the .discussion was taken.