GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Grey River Argus, 5 July 1916, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

— ■ ' """ LBGISLATIV-B OOTIKOIIi, (Por Press Association,) WELLINGTON, .luly 4. The Council met at U. 30 p.m. Mid immediately adjourned, ItOUSB OF BJ3PBBI._3NTAT-Vfiß When the 'House met at _vJO p.m., mt the motion of the Prime Minister the amendments made by the Leg__l_> livo Council in the Discharged Soldiers Selltement Act, .1.01.0, were agreed to. The Military Service Bill, as amend' ed, was received from the Legislative ('Miitell. Mr Allen Indicated tite nature of tbe amendments and moved that they be considered ac-_t sitting day. "ihis was agreed to. In reply to questions, the Milliliter said that where meu could -justify thai-* silJteiiie bjr documentary evidence such cases were always given fttVoUfftble coiisideratioii. On the motion for the third reading of tho Land and Income Tai. Bill, Mr Payne (Grey Lynn) took exception to the exemption of gold mining companies from income ta*. He suggested that taxation should be continued and the proceeds handed over to workmen injured in following their calling. Mr T, W. Rhodes (Thamea) coualdered the proposal to exempt gold mining companies from income tax 011001* the most beneficial in Iho Bill. It Was a timely concession to the industry. Mr P. 0. Webb flG'rey) contended that exemption from income tax would, bo no assistance to the miiiiag industry, Ho assorted that tho weakfless of the Bill was the absence of an increase in Iho graduated laud ttt*, while no attempt was made to deal With the cost of living. Mr T M. Wiiford (Hutt) contended lhat lhere should havo been a pfOVi* sion in lhe Bill exempting mortgagers from half per cent, interest in the reduction of the amount of interest pay able on mortgages owing to the aboli* lion of the mortgage tax, ' Mr A, H Hindmursh (Wellington South) contended that tho largo falm-« ers held too much power. Present legislation would undo much of tho good accomplished by the Liberal Party by their land taxation. He pro tested agaihst the abolition' of the Mortgage Tax, It was a disastrous mistake. Sir Joseph Ward twitted Mr Hittdmarsh with not -joining the National Cabinet when he had the opportunity, and so helping the country with bis knowledge and experience, The attain tion of the mortgage tax means ehMp enlng the rate of interest. There wits no proposal to abolish the land taK. Tho graduated land ta*_: Bad been ifa_ creased last year by tlfty ncr cent sir Joseph *Ward said that he Md previously pointed out that it Was ihe duty of mortgagees to reduce, interest hy half per cent. •If that Wqfe net done it would bo the duty of Pariift* meat to pass restriction legialation. it was possible ho might yet ask for taxa tion of geld mining companies, and claim £10,00 of taxation pet year th'ttt he now proposed to remit. He moved the third reading which wns carried on voices. On the motion to go into Committee of Supply Mr R. E. Wright (Welling* ton Suburbs) moved an amendment iirgirig that the erection of the new Parliament Buildings should he hasten* cd. Mr G. Witty (Ridcarteft) who spake amidst interruptions, strongly j^roteatv ed against tho attitude of the Gove_i_« mont in intercepting sUpp.jf and So preventing Members from discussing important public fjuestions. Mr Witty was interrupted by the dinner adjournment.