SESSION’S WORK

Evening Star, Issue 18785, 8 November 1924, Page 4

SESSION’S WORK

THE PREMIER'S SUMMARY, TAXATION REDUCED BY £838,500. LOAN REQUIREMENTS ARRANGED. [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, November 7. A statement was made by tho Prime Minister this afternoon on the work of the session. “The second session of a Parliament, said Mr Massey, “is usually looked upon as the working session, and the session which has now come to an end has been no exception to the rule. The Statute Book will undoubtedly be a very substantial document, and I believe _ the legislation contained therein will give satisfaction to a great majority of the people of the country. The reductions of land and income-tax, for instance, will be welcome not only to those who pay' land l or income tax, but to those citizens who understand that any reduction of taxation affects the whole population. That has been the experience in every other country, and so far it has been our experience in New Zealand. The total amount of reduction by way of land and income tax, taken together, has been £718,000. The reduction in amusement tax lias been £45,000, and the reduction in tobacco duty has been £75,500, making a. total by way of annual reduction of taxation of £838,500. Many members of the House are unwilling to agree to .any reduction in land and income tax, but if reductions are not made while the country is prosperous and money fairly plentiful they certainly will not be .made when a change comes and we have more difficulty with our finance than we are having at present.

“A piece of legislation which I think has attracted very little attention, but which is very important nevertheless, has been the Land Transfer Bill providing for compulsory registration of titles. I think this will do an immense amount of good and make the transfers of land very much easier and less costly in many instances than has been the case up to the present. “The Legislature Amendment Bill, with which we have been dealing recently, is not by any means a piece of legislation, but I believe that it makes for a clean electoral roll and simplifies very considerably the law with regard to absent voters’ permits. It provides that the residential qualification (which under the existing law is one month in the particular electorate) shall he increased to three months, thus restoring the law to where it formerly stood before the last amendment. I feel certain that with capable handling there will bo much less difficulty in the administration of the law so far as elections are concerned than wo have experiened in many instances in past years.

“There was very considerable difference of opinion, both in the House and outside of it, with regard to the Mortgages Final Extension Bill, but I think that the compromise which was arrived at will give satisfaction in most cases, and I believe the winding up of the moratorium will do very much more good than harm. I believe it will to a very great extent restore confidence in broad l acres as securities, and confidence in this connection has been waning for some time past. “The Stamp Duties Amendment was a very important Act of great length, and required very careful looking into. It had been before the House on one or two previous occasions, but I am inclined to think that the amendments made during this session will ensure it working more smoothly than it has done for some time. “ There was a good deal of difference of opinion on the part of the House with regard to the Companies’ Empowering Bill so far as it affects the dairying industry', but I think that we have got it into a shape now by which difficulty will be avoided in future, and it will give satisfaction certainly to tho co-operative companies throughout New Zealand; and I think also to the hulk of the public who are concerned with what is really the most important industry in tho dominion, today. “The Finance Bill provides for the borrowing of money that may be required during the financial year. ”lt is not likely that the whole of the money authorised will be asked for, but I am anxious to keep going a proper supply for the purposes of both settlers on country lands and workers, and at tho same time to keep interest down to a reasonable rate. The State Advances Department is now doing an enormous business, and so far as 1 can judge there will be no slackening off for a considerable time to come. 1’ am quite willing to assist those who are interested in establishing what are called agricultural banks, but i have my responsibilities to tho country, and I must insist upon the Stale having control of its own money; and from the information which I have been able to gain I am satisfied there is no more satisfactory system in any part of the Empire, or even America, than that which is in operation at present by tho State Advances Department. I am very glad to notice tiiat financial critics in other countries continue to speak favorably of New Zealand’s finance, and it is a matter of great satisfaction to all who take an interest in the prosperity of this country to know that its credit stands very high; but we must take care that nothing is done which may injure it. “Guided by the satisfactory results of the Meat Control Board and* the Dairy Control Board, Parliament this year made provision for the control of the export of fruit, and also of the export of honey. These are promising industries, and deserve any support and encouragement which it is possible for the Government or Parliament to give them. The poultry industry, especially the export of eggs, is being assisted in a similar manner.

“The advent of motor vehicles lias made it necessary that our main roads should be improved, and tliat the weight of the motor lorries, including their loads, should be regulated so as not to injure unnecessarily the roads in existence now or any roads tliat may be made in the future. Hence the passing of the Motor Vehicles Bill and of the Public Works Bill, under which the fees have not yet been settled; hut every shilling of the money collected under these Acts will be sot aside for the purpose of making and improving the roads, and will not bo used for the ordinary purposes of the Consolidated Fund.

“ During this session, 100, something • has been done for those who have fallen by the way. An amendment of the Pensions Act provides for an increase in the old age and widows’ pensions, and pensions are being provided for the indigent blind. “In the interests of tho soldiers it was necessary further to amend the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act, and amendments have been made therein which will tend to the more satisfactory working of tho provisions of the original legislation. Tho revaluation boards have done great work, and by the time they have finished I think It will be found that a very largo proportion of the soldier settlers will have been placed in a fair way of doing good for themselves and doing good for tho country. “ The Gaming Amendment Act attracted a good l deal of attention on account of the struggle which took place over it in the House and the difference of opinion with regard thereto on the part of the public. Wo cannot all see eye to eye with regard to these matters. This legislation had been promised for four years, and on four occasions attempt® have been made to get a satisfactory Bill on to tho Statute Book. Personally I am glad that it is finished for the time being and out of the way, and the principle has been affirmed that in Parliament majorities must rale. A very large section of the New Zealand public takes nn interest in racing. They are taxpayers, perhaps, to a greater extent than many other classes, and so far as legislation is concerned they must be treated properly. They proved they were good) citizens during the war period, and that fact must not bo forgnitaq- At *ll events, when promises are

made to them hr the Government and Parliament those promises must be kept “There were tho usual _ formal Bills which require to bo dealt with every session, but I have only touched upon those of what may be called major importance, and these I hope and believe wall work out to the satisfaction of the public.