FINANCE BILL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 73, 8 March 1933, Page 7

FINANCE BILL

SECOND READING PASSED STRONG OBJECTIONS RAISED TO TRACKLESS OMNIBUS TAX. By Telegraph—Press Association Wellington, March 8. The Finance Bill (No. 4), which was introduced into the House of Representatives yesterday, was read the second time without a division at 4.15 this morning and by 6.30 its clauses had been dealt with in committee. Progress was then reported, the Rt. Hou. J. G. Coates stating that additional clauses would be brought down to-day. The schedule of the bill was held over pending the introduction of additional clauses. Christchurch members raised strenuous opposition to the proposed taxation on trackless electric omnibuses. They contended that the taxation would result in reversion from the use of locally-produced electric power to the use of imported petrol. Mr. Coates said he would be prepared to reduce the basis of this taxation so that it would be the equivalent of only sixpence of the petrol tax, and would further agree that the whole amount of this taxation should go to the Main Highways Board and nothing to the Consolidated Fund. He moved an amendment to the schedule increasing the exemption for this type of vehicle from 20 per cent., as originally provided, to 40 per cent.

Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Avon) inquired whether this would amount to the same reduction as the Minister had mentioned earlier.

Mr. Coates thereupon suggested that the schedule be held over, and this course was adopted. OTHER LICENSES.

Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central) divided the House on the clause providing for the annual licensing of medical practitioners. The clause was retained by 32 votes to 19. The clause providing for the annual licensing of nurses, maternity nurses and midwives was withdrawn.

The House rose at 6.39 a.m. till 2.30 o’clock this afternoon.