Various Matters Before The House

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 48, 26 February 1943, Page 5

Various Matters Before The House

Military Pay, Doctors and Houses Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Feb. 25. The work of tho Soldiers’ Financial Assistance Board was briefly reviewed by the Prime Minister when the House met at 2.30 to-day. He said that tho duty of the Board was to see that on a balance between civil and military incomes, no undue financial hardship was continued. General increases in military pay and allowances last November automatically affected many previous decisions of the Board and a series of reviews followed and where it was considered the original hardship had been eased, a reduction in the quantum of assistance granted by the Board, was ordered. He was assured that, except in one or two cases, the reductions ordered had not equalled, much less exceeded, the cash value ot increases in pay and allowances. Replying to an interjection by Mr. J. A. Lee, who asked if it was the aim to make the income up to what it was prior to enlistment, Mr. Fraser said it was not possible to make up to everybody the incomes they had before enlisting. What the Board did was to make up to the soldier certain payments for which he was responsible, such as insurance. If the basic pay were inadequate, it was the duty of tho House and Government to rectify the position. It was also possible that some consideration might be given to an increase in domestic allowances and he would discuss that phase with the Board.

A proposal for open markets for fruit, vegetables and fish in all centres, was made by Mr. W. J. Broadfooc (Waitomo) in notice of a question to the Minister of Marketing. Mr. Broadfoot suggested that the Government should make it possible to establish in all centres such markets, so that the producer could sell direct to the consumer at a reasonable price. This would avoid the present expensive system of servicing. “Some doctors are proposing to organise companies and enter into contracts with them, thus becoming salary earners and freeing themselves from the liability for assessment under the excess profits tax,” said Mr. D. C. Kidd (Waitaki) in an urgent question to the acting Minister of Finance, Hon. P. Fraser. He asked if it was the Government’s intention to allow doctors or other professional men to become servants of such companies and thus avoid the taxation liability. ‘‘The matter will be closely examined with the view of ensuring that nobody is to avoid payment ot his full taxation obligations,” was Mr. Fraser’s reply. Mr. Fraser also mentioned the housing position in New Zealand, which he considered very bad indeed. In reply to a question by Mr. W. S. Goosman (Waikato), Mr. Fraser said he had attended the conference that morning with representatives of United States forces, with respect to hospital requirements, and as a result, he could see another building programme ahead which would have the effect of further postponing the erection of dwellings. He gave an assurance, however, that ex-servicemen and their widows would receive every consideration, but there were very few dwellings for allotment at present.