SPARRING FOR TIME

Evening Star, Issue 20313, 23 October 1929, Page 2

SPARRING FOR TIME

THE LONG FIGHT OPENS AMENDMENTS FULLY DEBATED [From Oue Parljamentaky Repoevek.J WELLINGTON, October 22. The long stonewall on the Government’s Land and income Tax Amendment Bill commenced soon after the House of iloprcsentativcs assembled this afternoon, the Reform Opposition taking full advantage of the amending clauses introduced by Governor-Gene-ral’s Message at 2.45, to obstruct progress. There was a protracted debate when the House went into committee to consider the Message, and, despite an explanation by the Minister of Lands (Mr Hornes) early m the afternoon, Mr .Coates and his supporters continued to discuss the hardsnip clause till 4.35, when the motion was carried that provision be made in accordance with the Message. On Mr Speaker’s return there was a further debate on the question that the committee’s resolution be agreed to. Mr Coates led olf by recalling all that had happened in committee. He said the proposals contained in the amendments introduced that afternoon offered no solution, no relief, and no hope of amelioration as far as the various cases of hardship were concerned. The lleform Party asked that a commission, which would investigate cases of hardship, should bo given full powers to deal with all cases of hardship. They said that a man with an area of land entirely unsuitable for subdivision should be encouraged to stay on that land, and encouraged to increase production. It appeared that no possibility ol relief could be hoped for in such ca’stv. The amendments introduced did not take into consideration cases in which hardship was created, but gather the proposals went in the other direction. They served to tighten up the Land and Income Tax Amendment Bill. They made it more difficult, and did not allow hardship created under clause (3 to bo investigated. (Clause 6 provides for special exemption for the purposes of the land tax to be deductible from the unimproved value on mortgaged lands.) A DIFFICULT SITUATION. It had not been indicated by the Deputy-leader of the House that the Government was prepared to hand out justice and fairness, said Mr Coates. (Murmurs of Government dissent.) Mr Contes hastened to say that ho did not blarao the Minister of Lands, because that Minister had not introduced the Bill. Mr Coates referred to “ the studied silence ” of Government members in regard to what ho believed to be a series of injustices. There seemed, said Mr Coates, to be a definite move on the part of the Government to get past an awkward and difficult situation by adopting a policy of silence. No member would be doing his duty if such important amendments were passed in a slipshod manner. The effect of this legislation would be that a man with £IO,OOO unimproved valuation on mortgaged lands would have his taxation doubled. That man would pay £23 15s. Mr Forbes: Oh, that is not so; that is not super tax. Mr Coates: I am leaving super-tax alone just now. lam speaking of mortgaged lands. Mr Forbes remarked that it did not operate till the £14,000 mark. Mr Coates said £5Bl 17s 6d would bo the impost the first time the super-tax affected a man, but he was referring to the man far below that mark. The mere fact of his mortgage reduction being reduced to £7,500 doubled his taxation. It seemed that the Government was out to impose an injustice and a distinct levy on a desirable class of tho community. The Minister of Justice (Mr Wdford); Steady. Mr Coates: Why ? Mr Wilford That is over the odds. Mr Coates replied that the Minister’s interjection showed that he had not studied the Bill, and was not capable of giving an interpretation. He was a lawyer.

Mr Samuel; And an actor. Mr Coates; Yet he has not said a word; he has sat silent, and imagined the proposals are fair and equitable. The honourable gentleman could help, but he thinks that the only attitude of the Opposition is to definitely oppose any proposal which may be brought forward. That is not so. The Opposition is' ready and willing to assist if the Government requires money, but this is more; it is legislation to burst up large estates and impose an impost on £3,000 of unimproved valuation. Mr Wilford; Now I’m beginning to think the honourable gentleman hasn’t read the Bill. Mr Coates: I challenge the Minister to say that a man with £B,OOO valuation is not going to have his taxation increased. Mr Forbes: Not if he is not mortgaged. Mr Coates: But if he is mortgaged. Mr Wilford; Oh, you are full of “ ifs ” and challenges. FRIENDLY ADVICE.

3lr Poison, from the Independent benches, offered .what he termed friendly advice to the Ministry to further modify the hardship clause, as lie did not think it met the position. He had attended deputations to the Prime Minister, and had found him sympathetic and the hope was held out that linn e would be further concessions l.n face oi the clause, as further amended, he appealed to the Lender of the Honso if. again modify it. Personally, lie was anxious to see large estates suitable for closer settlement broken up. even burst up; but as the hardship clause stood. “ why a man must be practically bankrupt before he can take advantage oi it. 1 do not blame the Leader of the House for that. 1 think he has been misled by the man in authority, who lias a prejudiced, jaundiced view of the farmer, and I regret that he has been given tbe opportunity of influencing the legislation of the country.” The debate was carried on by Reform members till the Speaker left the chair at the dinner adjournment.