RELIEF TAX BILL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 183, 6 July 1931, Page 6

RELIEF TAX BILL

RESUMPTION of debate to-morrow.

OUTLINE OF AMENDAIENTS. (Bv Telegraph— Special to Standard.) WELLINGTON, July 6. The second reading discussion of the Unemployment Amendment Bill will he continued when the House ot Representatives resumes on Tuesday. Although members on a sides are anxious to discuss the problem and the solution, tlieie is an entirely different spirit compared with that which prevailed when the original measure was before the House last year. AY hen the Alinister of Labour described the position as grave, this expression was not regarded as in any wav extravagant for every member of the House has been confronted in his own electorate with distressing evidences of unemployment. Therefore the debate on the emergency measure has cleaili shown general anxiety to co-operate in plans for relief. The Committee stage, which gives an opportunity to submit amendments, is sure to be reached by Wednesday and there is a general belief that the Bill will be passed at that sitting. The Labour Party,' formerly so hostile to the unemployment levy, will not on this occasion carry its opposition to the point of obstruction, it is said It has definite opinions regarding the administration and the method of raising funds and wilLmove amendments. In the hope of securing an an agreement the Government and Reform parties are considering the reconstitution of the Unemployment Board The Labour Party intends to ‘move that it consist of officers of the Public Works Department as it is contended that these are most capaple of organising work for the unemployed. This amendment will involve a complete departure from the principle of the original Act. which regarded the Unemployment Board as a medium lor arranging with all classes or employers to utilise labour wdthout itself becoming an employer. . The Labour Party also intends to move an amendment to exempt relief workers from the operation of the wage tax, a proposal which will create a good deal of discussion, for a large number of members are concerned over anomalies in th'e incidence of the tax and would only support the present proposals because there is a serious emergency and because the special tax ceases in August, 1932. Another effort* will be made to completely exempt from the levy or the tax all workers earning £l5O and under, but it is not intended as an obstructive motion —only to further test the House on this principle. From other quarters amendments are likely to' be suggested. It is thought that the inclusion of women in the special wage tax should be accompanied by more definite provision for unemployed women than now appears in the Bill, while Reform members are concerned to strengthen that «ection widening the Unemployment Board’s powers to utilise relief workers on the development of idle lands. Despite the number of amendments foreshadowed, the Committee stage is expected to be conducted in a good spirit and the Bill should pass the Lower House early in the week.