PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16624, 22 August 1917, Page 8

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PRISON SYSTEM CRITICISED. [BY TELEGEAPH.—PBZSS ASSOCIATION-.] WELLINGTON. Tuesday. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. The presentation of the report by the Prisons Department wis followed by a debate. Mr. P. C. Webb (Grey) declared there was no classification of prisoners at Wellington and Lyttelton Gaols. The system generally needed revision. Mr. J. T. M. Hornsby (Wairarapa) complimented the Minister on many reforms effected in recent years. The debate was" interrupted by the dinner adjournment. When the House resumed, the Prime Minister said he had cabled congratulations to Captain J. G. Coates, member for Kaipara, on gaining the , Military Cross. He hoped this would not be the only honour won by members at the front. Mr. Massey stated that at the request of the Cost of Living Committee he had agreed to add Mr. A. Walker (Dunedin North) to the committee. The debate on the Budget was continued \ by_ Mr. J. A. Young (Waikato). He said it was difficult to criticise the taxation proposals, as the Government said it wanted so much money, and unless its proposals, were adopted it would not obtain the revenue required. Consequently members had either silently to agree to the proposals or take a great responsibility in opposing them. He urged that great care should be taken not 10 , injure industries by excessive taxation. The next speaker was Sir James Allen, who dealt with various matters relating to the Expeditionary Force. He said he had not taken any step* to reduce the quota of reinforcements. That had been done by the War Council and was entirely due to improved conditions at the front. The Minister explained the conditions on which commissions were granted, showing that territorial officers were not receiving undue consideration and that an equitable arrangement had been made to allow a fair share of commissions to non-commis-sioned officers at the front. He claimed that the system of selecting officers was a|a ,iaul as it was humanly possible to Mr l ( i- H. Smith (Pahiatua) said he regretted the war loan had to be floated free of income tax, but it should be remembered that the interest would remain in New Zealand, and not, as in older loans, go out of the country. In the event of the holder of bonds leaving the Dominion and taking bonds with him, he would have to pay income tax in his new home, which would be an inducement to keep the interest in New Zealand. Regarding the land tax, Mr. Smith suggested that where land was mortgaged the proposed exemption of £1000 should be raised to £2000 in peace time; then small men would obtain greater relief than could be given in war time. In connection with the income tax, he suggested that if a man had an income of £6400, half of which came from war bonds, he should pay on the balance as if he was liable to pay on the whole £6400. He said the tea tax was a blot on the Budget. The adjournment of the debate was moved by Mr. R. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs). ° Tho Prime Minister said he hoped the debate would be brought to a close within the next day or so. The House rose at 11.15 p.m. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. [by TEtECEKAPH.— PBES3 association.] Thp r *„;.! t WELLINGTON. Tuesday, noon L A glß !l tlVe Council met this afterFrancis Bell mtion „° f the Leader, Sir to $5 thM^, n & Orders were altered clauses, -whether S«* a nt ? money clauses, whether initiated ?° ney House or iaT m Sundl in^ Lower mentswillbenrin^ uncil . llle amendnot P iste?upon ailtlqU6 type ' and BideSbl?Ten K ?h SSfc '5* a at conthe Sarfi AmtdS ddin r K ? ously introduced by him Bl "' previ ' ine Council rose at 4.15 p.m.