PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16013, 3 September 1915, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

—■ ♦ ■ "*£■ • / HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. DEBATE ON THE BUDGET. IST TET.TJGBAgB.-PRESS ASSOCIATT).?.] Weiiesctoit," Thursday. „ The House met at 2.30 p.m. A discussion on a ; ' return dealing with the basis of the proposed|new taxation, and introduced by - Sir Joseph Ward, occupied some hours. f - "'.. *.»1 : 'yv ■'.,*£.-■ : TEe debate ? ; on the Budget* was continued by Mr. J.H. Escott "(Pahiatca); who generally, supported the proposals contained in the Statement. ; ;".'■?;-' .->-i?i*

Mr. J. T. M. Hornsby (Wairarapa) said the proposed land taxation was" in'adequate. ■-~ -'.- ? ", "■.- "'■ if\ "■■■' "--->,- ~ 3T-x~ '

Mr. C H. Poole (Auckland West) said he favoured taxing, postal matter only \ after the first ounce. The kerosene tax, ■". -z' he felt convinced, would be dropped. "The duty on : ' ; beer and X spirits should' be doubled. The proposal to tax aerated "waters was -' reasonable. I The ; National: • | Cabinet was pledged to definitely deal ; with the question- of the cost of" living ! this session, and on that understanding he -was going as far as his . convictions • would let him in support of : that Cabinet • Mr. A. Harris (Waitemata) said the in- - crease in the graduated tax would not be resisted but he thought the exemption under the income tax might be reduced to £200.-; Referring to the increase in- postal rates, he pointed out that wherever charges had been , reduced increased revenue had resulted, and he thought this would prove a] retrograde step. He objected to the proposed telephone - rates, - and was quite certain that in the Waite- - g mala electorate half Jof the v people .who now have X telephones would discontinue ..' them. He advocated lan * increase in i the duties on beer and spirits, and urged that a duty : .-put c upon tea, cigars, and cigarettes, which would provide an addi- ?■" tional £60,000. ' •> =, The adjournment of -the s debate was „ l moved by Mr. Hine, - and the House rose at 10.48 y p.m. . ~ ->- ,\ ?

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. [BT K.AFH. FBESS -ASSOCXA.TIOX-3 Weelecgtox, Thursday. The Legislative Council met a> 2.50 p.m. The New Zealand Loans Amendment , Bill was read a first time. On the motion - for the second reading the measure was criticised by the Hons. S. T. George, W. C. F. Carniross, J. Puthie, 0. Samuel, Sir W. Hall-Jones, and C. H- Milk, all of whom strongly advocated a policy of economy snd retrenchment by the Government ~ .; t The Hon. Sir Francis Bell pointed otife that members who had referred to the necessity «>f economy had failed to note, that the Public Works Statement had not yet. been brought down. The largo expenditure necessary was mainly the result of the great extension of settlement that ■was taking place.. The expenditure for public services could not be largely, curtailed- The annual increases for hospitals, and charitable aid. asylums and education could not be avoided. The Government would effect what was possible in tha direction indicated by members. '■ !t ; The Bill was read a second time as - . f also the Public Revenues Amendment Bill * and Trades and Commerce Amendment J Bill (No. 2). , . . -

The Council went into committee on' the Bills. The Public Revenues Bill was reported from committee. : The Bills were reported, read a third time and passed. In committee on the Marriage Amendment Bill, an ; amendmentjt'*| was added, doing away in the case of troopers with, the necessity of a certificate of three dava' residence in a particular district before, marriage. The Bill as amended was read a second time.. | The Council adjourned at 4.40 p.m.