PARLIAMENTARY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 16359, 1 October 1913, Page 11

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Abridged from Press Association.) LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, Seftembuh 30. AFTERNOON SITTING. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. PRISONERS’ DETENTION. In reply to tho Hon Dr Collins, the Hop F. Jr. D. 801 l said that as soon as definite information was received from tho Premier of New South Wales regarding the operation of the Prisoners Detention Act, 1908, lie would consult with the honourable gentleman and decide whether legislation on similar lines should be introduced 'in New Zealand. CHRISTCH URCI-I ELECTRICAL SUPPLY. On the question that the Council should go into committee on the Uiristcnurch Electrical Supply Empowering Bill, the tloii S. T. George raised the question that the Bill was a private Dill, and ought not to bo allowed to proceed as a local Bill. The Speaker ruled that the Bill must be referred to the Joint Committee on Bills for an opinion on the point-. LAND AND INCOME TAX. Tho Hon F. H. D. Bell moved the second reading of the Land Tax and Income Tax Bill, explaining the principle of graduation contained in it. The Hon J. Anstey raised the question of the new method of taxation on companies, which created hardship. He quoted a case of a company earning profits of £II,OOO, which would have to pay an income tax of E2IGO under these proposals. He suggested that companies should only have to pay on that portion of tho income which went to tho capitalists. The Hon J. Duthie spoke of the effect of the proposed taxation upon companies as tho repression of enterprise, calculated to embarrass the country. The working classes were not bearing a fair sliaro of txation, and this tendency to place additional burdens on industry was a serious thing. Tho HOll C. M, Luke condemned the unequal treatment meted out to small and large companies. Tho Hon F. 11. D. Bell, in reply, contended that Mr Anstey’s figures were quite wrong, showing that a company with profits of £12,000 would pay under tho now proposals £BOO, not £2IOO. In reply to Mr Duthie, he said that the increases were necessary to meet gravo additions on the expenditure side. Additions to pensions and teachers’ salaries all had to he dealt with, as well as other matters, and the increased revenue had to he obtained from somewhere. Certainly the Government was not going to the Customs for it. The second reading passed. The Hon F. H. D. Bell moved tho second reading of the Land and Income Assessment Act Amendment Bill, the practical effect of which was to raise the exemption in tho case of families from £3OO to £425. The Hons J. Anstey and C. H. Mills said they thought that the Bill might go further. There was no reason why tlie exemption should bo limited to families of five children, and some effort might well have been mado to relievo families with loss income than £3OO before troubling about those with larger incomes. The second reading passed. Tho Council rose at 4 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, September 30. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.30 p.m. THIRD READINGS. Tlie New Zealand Institute of Architects Bill and Local Elections and Polls Act Amendment Bill were read a third timo. LOAN BILL. Tlie Hon J, Allen moved tho second reading of tho Aid to Public AA orks and Land Settlement Bill. EVENING SITTING. Tho House resumed at 7.30 p.m. 'I he Loan Bill passed its second reading. DRAINAGE. The Hauraki Plains Act Amendment Bill passed its second reading. Tlie House roso at 12.40 a.m.