SURPRISE IN HOUSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20623, 23 July 1930, Page 16

SURPRISE IN HOUSE.

CLOSE SECRECY OBSERVED.

MR. FORBES PLEASED. PREVENTING BOND CLEARANCES. [niT TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Tuesday. The surprise sprung by the Government in bringing down the customs tariff in advance of tlio Budget, which will appear on Thursday, was clearly evident by the tenor of speechos in the House this evoning. It is, of course, necessary that close secrecy should be observed when increases in tariffs are in prospect and it was not until late this afternoon that the news that tho customs tariff resolutions would como before tho House this evening became generally known.

The success of tho Government's coup was thoroughly enjoyed by the Prime Minister, tho Hon. G. W. Forbes, who had a chuckle in his voico as ho replied to a number of points raised by members. "The reason for anticipating tho Budget was to prevent any abnormal clearances between now and tho appearance of the Budget," explained Mr. Forbes. "There is no other reason but that. 1 may say that tho warning given by mo regarding tho action lo bo taken in tho event of excessive withdrawals has been observed except in tho case of one or two items." A number of members protested at the fact that duties were being increased on numerous necessary articles, whereas no additional impost was proposed on American cinematograph films. However, such criticism lost its point when Mr. Forbes was replying.

"It members will wait a little? while thoy will find that films are dealt with in the Budget," said tho Prime Minister.

Reform Voices: What? Still more taxa tion ;

Mr. Forbes: It is with no degree of pleasure that the Government enters into the quostion of increased taxation. In the past it has been considered that if a Government did that once in tlio courso of a Parliament tlint was as much as it could stand up to, but the financial position of the country makes us como down a second time.

The Hon. W. Downici Stewart (Reform —Duncdin West) had drawn attention to the increase in the duty on cigars. When Minister of Finance ho had been told that the duty on cigars was already so high that if further revenue from that source were to bo obtained the duty would have to bo lowered, otherwise cigars would virtually go out of consumption. Mr. Forbes replied that the increased duty had been placed on cigars to bring it into lino with the duty on cigarettes. That was i'elt to be the only logical thing to do.

"The full debate 011 the tariff will lake place when the bill is brought down," said Mr. Forbes. "These resolutions are for invoking taxation and tho bill is to make the taxes law. I know members cannot expect to debate the matters fully at a moment's notice. Tho interval between the passing of these resolutions and the bringing down of the bill will give those who feel that any of the duties bear hardly to state their case,_ and, if consideration is necessary, alterations will be made."

PRE-ELECTION PROMISES.

Member draws contrast.

BRUSH WITH CHAIRMAN.

[by telegraph.—special reporter.] "WELLINGTON, Tuesday. There was a sharp passage at arms between the Chairman of Committees, Mr. W. A. Bodkin, and Mr. R. Seinple (Labour —Wellington East) in the House of Representatives late this evening. In Criticising tho Government's tariff proposals Mr. Semple said he would liko to refer to the United Party's .election manifesto and the promises then made. lie wanted to do so lest the House should forget those promises. Mr. Bodkin asked Mr. Semple to confine himself to the resolutions before the House. Mr. Semple: But surely I am entitled to refer' to tho Government's promises with regard to no increase in taxation ? Mr. Bodkin: I ask tho honourable go." tleman to resume his seat. Mr. Semple did so and the chairman said ho must insist on his ruling being obeyed. . Mr. P. Fraser (Labour —Wellington Central): Put Mr. MacPherson in the chair.

Mr. Sample was allowed to resume, but continued to argue that he was entitled to refer to the taxation portion of the Government's proposals. Mr. Bodkin: Will the honourable gentleman resume his seat?

Mr. Semple sat down and Mr. Bodkin then called on another speaker.

PLEA FOE COMPENSATION.

NUMBER-PLATE MAKER.

EFFECT OF NEW LEGISLATION. fny TELEGRAPH. —PPECTAT, REPORTER.] "VVKLTJNOTON. Tuesday. "Business increased and a sure fortune loomed ahead, but the Government decided to compel the use of an American number-plate for motors and my patent was rendered useless and I was eventually forced into bankruptcy," stated Frederick James Lake, of To Wlietu, I'utaruru, in a petition presented in the Hniiso of Representatives to-day. Tito petitioner said lie was offered the business of manufacturing number-plates in 1923, and before deciding on the offer he interviewed the Minister of Internal Affairs, who assured him there was no likelihood of the Government deciding on another type. He acquired the business and his patent for manufacture had still 14 years to run when th" Motor Vehicles Act came into force. ]I is busi-» r.ess was thereafter rendered useless. The petition was one praying for compensation.

VESSELS ON THE COAST.

EFFECT OF THE CHANGES. CLEARANCES AT OLD RATES. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER. ] "WELLINGTON, Tuesday. "It will be of interest to the public to know tho position about duties on goods now in vessels in Now Zealand waters," said Mr. C. A. Wilkinson (Independent—Egrnont) in asking the Prime Minister a question at the close of the tariff debate in the House to-night. Mr. Wilkinson said a vessel had. perImps, cleared portion of its cargo at Auckland and was now on the way to other ports. The customs papers would not he in at the latter port. Would the old or new duties apply in such cases? Mr, Forhes said importers would be allowed to clear their goods at the old rates if the importing vessel were in New Zealand waters, so long as the vessel had called at a port of entr^r;