IN PARLIAMENT.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2474, 14 October 1922, Page 5

IN PARLIAMENT.

OUTSTANDING DUTIES. A MILLION STERLING OWING. (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Last Night. Mr Hanan (Invercargill) following up the Premier’s announcement that £900,000 of land and income taxes are outstanding, asked if the Premier would inform the House how much was outstanding in respect of death duties, as he knew that there were many cases in which it was difficult for estates to find the ready cash to meet these payments. Mr Massey stated he would be able to give the exact figures later, but an approximate estimate of the amount of death duties outstanding was one million sterling. He believed six months was allowed for the payment, and interest was charged on outstanding sums. CONCESSION TO AGRICULTURAL SHOWS. A small amendment of the Amusement Tax Bill was agreed to without discussion in the House to-day, the premier explaining that it was needed in order to give certain agricultural and pastoral shows the benefit of the remission of the tax this month. The Bill had been intended to operate from November Ist, but the amendment brought it into force immediately it was signed by the GovernorGeneral, LAND AND INCOME TAX. The amendment providing for reductions estimated at one million was considered in the House to-day. Mr Holland moved to amend class 2, relating to the reduction of the super-tax bs' providing that it shall apply only to owners whose taxable balance does not exceed £IO,OOO. The amendment was negatived by 51 votes to 13. Mr McCallum moved a similar amendment with a £20,000 limit, which was defeated by 42 votes to 21. Further Committee consideration was postponed when all but clause 4 had been adopted. WORKERS’ COMPENSATIONS. The Workers’ Compensation Bill was put through the Committee stage without material amendment, the Minister for Labour resisting attempts to increase the benefits further - , as he contended that the Bill was already very liberal. DAYLIGHT BAKING. A Bill introduced by Mr McCombs sought to prohibit baking for the purposes of sale except between 8 a.m. and B p.m., the proposal to operate from February, 1923. The Labour Bills Committee, to whom the Bill was referred, returned it to the. House with a recommendation that it should not be allowed fo proceed. The report was adopted.