HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 3 September 1915, Page 6

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

In the Lower House this afternoon, Sir J. Ward laid on the table a comparative return showing the amounts paid by city men and country settlers under the graduated land and income tax. He explained that the return had been compiled to show why the Budget did not apply the graduated land tax in the same degree to town as to country lands.

Mr J. H. Escott said he accepted the graduated tax proposals, but 'opposed the tax on mineral oils. He would increase the beer duty to sixpence per gallon, and that on spirits to 20s per gallon. He did not think a tax on tea would be objected, and he favored taxation of amusements.

Mr J. T. M. Hornsby hoped the experiment of a National Cabinet would be followed by proportional representation aud an elective executive. The land tax proposals were quite inadequate, and the graduated tax was a farce. He favored heavier taxes on luxuries and on death duties, and regretted there was no serious attempt to reduce the cost of living. Mr C. H. Poole thought expressions of opinion had fallen from members which merited the attention of the National Government. The Budget must be accepted in a spirit of compromise; it did not represent a party line, but was an attempt to obtain money required for the war. He thought no hardship was involved in the taxation suggested, but exception could be taken to some of the details. He supported a further taxation on beer, but objected to the suggestion that picture shows should be taxed.

Mr Harris approved the increase in the graduated tax, but thought exemptions should be reduced to £200. He favored an increase on beer and spirits, and a tax on lea, cigars and cigarettes.

The House rose at 10.48 p.m