POLITICAL NOTES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9758, 6 September 1917, Page 6

POLITICAL NOTES

THE AMUSEMENTS TAX “KILL-JOYS” V. T ‘SQUASHY SENTIMENTALISTS.” Tho amusements tax was discussed in such a manner in tho House of Representatives yesterday that if tho suggestion of a member wore put into effect that admission he charged to tho ''public gallery of tho House, such proceeds must surely help to swell the tax under discussion. Tho House really resolved itself into two sides in discussing tho tax, tho “kill-joys,” as those against the tax called those in favour of it, and tho “squashy sentimentalists,” as one member for tho tax called thoso against it. Tho member for Wanganui considered that tiio tax merely neiped to lurcher increase the cost of liv.ng. Cries of derision came from tho “Reform” benches, whereat Mr Veiteh declared that the “kill-joys” wanted to tax anything and everything that helped to mako ueoplo happy. ’ Mr P. C. Webb advanced tho argument that tho picture shows really kept many men out of tho hotels. Uno hotelkeeper had complained bitterly to him of this tact. Another man had declared that ho would rather a thousand times see Sunday evening picture shows to lesson tho number of young people who wandered about the streets, of a bundaj; night. Air Webb further Held that many went to picture shows because their homos were filled with sorrow. Air L. AI. Isitt was just as strong for tho tax. Tho talk about more comfort being wanted at tho present time was, ho said, “squashy sentimentalism" and “miserable cant.” Air Webb said that it was all very well for Air Isitt to talk; ho had his Sources of amusement, which, however, did not attract other members. The “other members” hugely enjoyed this remark. Air J. Vigor Brown managed to give his opinion amidst many interjections from tho chair. He said ho was astounded to hear the coo-ees from tho Tory benches when fair-mind-ed members spoke against the tax. He supposed that Air Isitt was for the tax, because ho wanted to drive people to temperance meetings. Eventually, after further comments and personalities, a division was called for on the clause under discussion, which was carried, with only one dissentient. A STORM IN A TEACUP. Ono of the most animated discussions that has taken place this session followed the in traduction of the tea taxation proposals in the Finance Bill in tho House last night. As Dr Pomaro aptly remarked, it was “a’storm in a teacup.” “It is all rot,” said Dr Pomare, “to say that this tax will increase the cost of living.” Ho proceeded to analyse tho component parts of tea to show its injurious effects on vno human system. Alombers opposed to the tax were not a bit impressed. “AV© are not down, on our marrow bones by a long chalk,” said another member opposed to the tax. “If wo were on our marrow bones financially, then we would have to tax tea more heavily, and butter, too.” “Oh, it is terrible,” .declared another member. “Terrible for the wowser,” irreverently observed, another member. ONE COW ONE VOTE. “There are some people in this House who would say ono cow one vote or anything that was in the interests of the producers.”—Air AV. A. Veiteh, in the House last night. TEA. BUTTER, AND STANDING ORDERS. It is contrary to the Standing Orders of the House to produce in Parliament any article, whether it be a nutmeg-grater or a olothes-wringer. Two members flagrantly ignored this rule yesterday. During the afternoon one member produced a pound of butter to add weight to his utterances. Later on another member from a prominent position in the centre of the House grandly waved a half-pound tin of tea as he declaimed against the cost of living. “XT’,S GOT TO BE DONE, POAII” - Short and to tho point was the summing up of the taxation proposals by a friend of Dr Pomara’s as related in tho House last-night by Dr Pomare. “I asked my friend what he thought of the taxation,” said Dr Pomare. “He said, ‘lt’s got to be done, Poml’ ”