THE NEW PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13050, 15 December 1905, Page 5

THE NEW PARLIAMENT.

TWO IMPORTANT QUESTIONS. DUTIES ON" NECESSARIES OF LIFE. THE GRADUATED LAIW TAX. [BY TELKiiSAPIi.— CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Thursday. Two questions which will undoubtedly come prominently before Puirliameafc next session are an increase In the graduated land tax and a reduction of the duties on the necessaries of life. The Post has therefore endeavoured to discover the views of the new House on both questions, but so far the result has not been very encouraging. Careful searcn of newspaper tiles goes to show either that very many of the candidates have not spoken on these questions, occupying the greater portion of their time in discussing subjects of more immediate local concern, or that they have not been reported. On the other hand, reduction of .Custom? duties was advocated by Ministers, and it was one of the planks of the Opposition platform, and it may therefore fairly be assumed that the majority of Government followers, and practically all the Opposition, would be prepared to. vote in that direction if such an amendment to the tariff was proposed. As to an increase of the graduated land tax, it appeal's probable theft the members of the Opposition would generally be against such a proposal, and on the whole it seems likely that the Government party would vote for the proposal if the Government saw tit to bring it forward. " . , The following members have been reported as having declared themselves in faivour of an increase in the graduated tax: — Messrs. llurnsby, Graham, Guinness, Ell, Witty, Laurenson, McNab, Hanan. Fisher, Barber, Izard* Wilford, and Field. Messrs. Alison, Kirkbride, and Massey, aire reported as being opposed to an increase.. The following members are in favour of a reduction of Customs duties:.—Messrs. Alison, Kidd, Baunie, A. L. D. Eraser, Hall, Hogjr. Hogau, Wood, R. McKenzie, Guinness, Tanner, Gray, Davey, Ell, Witty, Rhodes, Laiuensou, McLachlan, Jais. Allen, Malcolm, Hana-a, Fisher, Barber, Aitken, Izard, Wilford, Field. Mr. Ross (Pahiatua) is apparently of opinion that no reduction ! is necessary. ]