TAXING THE BACHELOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18171, 17 August 1922, Page 8

TAXING THE BACHELOR.

MR. MITCHELL'S MEASURE. AN APPROPRIATION BILL. [BY TKLECBAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] V WELLINGTON. Wednesday. Tho first measure considered in the House to-night was the Child Sustenance Bill, introduced by Mr. G. Mitchell (Wellington South). Before the second reading was proceeded with the Prime Minister intimated that the Bill, in his opinion, was an appropration Bill and could not be passed by a private member. He, however, did not wish to interfere with the member's opportunity of having the second reading debate, but he wished to state the position now so that later on when he raised fatal objection to the Bill he would not be misunderstood. Mr. Mitchell, in' v moving tho second reading, said the Bill was intended to be in the nature of a tax on the single man to keep the married man's children and assist to relieve the latter of some of his responsibility. The children of poorer parents were not now receiving a reasonable chance of making good, and this ultimately would have its effect on the adult "life of the country. He urged that a committee be aefc up to go into the whole question, and that the Government next session should introduce legislation giving effect to that committee's recommendations. . Mir. M. J. Savage (Auckland Wesf), while giving Mr. Mitchell every credit for sincerity, said the Bill was impracticable. Mr. 0. W J. Hawken (Egmont) saicl the Bill was opposed to the natural instinct that every man nhould keep his own children. - After several members had spoken the Bill was read a second time. The Speaker then ruled that the Bill was an appropriation Bill, and could not proceed. .