THAT THREE EARTHINGS.

Northern Advocate, 2 July 1917, Page 2

THAT THREE EARTHINGS.

WAS IT CONSTITUTIONAL?

WELLINGTON, June 29,

Next to six o'clock closing the but-ter-fat levy was the subject most prominent in Parliament's opening hour. Mr Young (Waikato) gave no'ice of •, question as to whether Cabinet acted constitutionally in the enforcement of the payment of a levy by butt r fac tories without the authority of Parliament, and whether the Government will state the statutory authority under which the tax is levied?

Mr Okey moved for a .return showing the amount of the levy called and the total amount refunded, wrh the names of .persons or firms to whom payments had been made. -

Mr Young attacked the question finally with a demand that the .Government refund the whole levy which had been taken without the farmers' consent. (Laughter.) Mr Vigor Brown asked the Government to place an export duty on butter n was being rushed to the Sydney market at a shilling a pound, when the New Zealand rLUII price was 1/8, and 250,000 boxe's were in store.

Mr Anderson desired the Government to prohibit the export of white pme, which was urgently needed foi butter and fruit boxes.

Mr ls,itt said that the 'Government •au ascertain the exe-ss profit tax paid by butter and cheese producers since the beginning of the war