POLITICAL JOTTINGS

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11867, 28 June 1924, Page 5

POLITICAL JOTTINGS

NOTES FROM THE GALLERY THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIBERAL AND REFORM. Speaking in the House last nigbt Mr H. T. Armstrong (Christchurch East) said that recently an East Coast palter had reported that Mr Veiteh had been asked if there was really any difference between the Reform Patty and the Liberal Party, and his reply had be=n in effect that there had not been any great difference. He was supposed to have said also that the main obstacle to the two parties uniting was Mr Massey, and that if the Prime Minister would stand aside there was no reason why they could not unite under such a leader as Mr Coates. Mr Veiteh gave an assurance that he had not said what had been attributed to him. DEBENTURE TAX WHAT WOULD HELP THE FARMERS? Mr R. Masters (Stratford) was protesting in Parliament last night against, tho differential rate of income tax levied on local body debentures, and urging its removal, when a Labour member interjected, “How would that help the farmers?'’ Mr Masters declared that nothing had drawn lean money away from investment in tiie farming industry so much as the differential rate of income tax on local body debentures, requiring them to pay onlv 2s 6d in the £, instead of, say, 7s -Id in the £. It had encouraged big institutions to invest in local body loans, instead of lending money on broad acres. The Prime Minister later pointed out that the debenture tax was now 4s 6d, and that it had been raised for the very purpose of facilitating the investment of money in fanning securities. and that 4s 6d had to be compared, not with 7s 4d, but with os lOd. Mr Masters said that he had referred to what the position was when the debenture tax was fixed at 2s 6d in the £. CUSTOMS TAXES AND THE LABOUR PARTI. Air R. Masters (Stratford) raised loud laughter in the House of Representatives last night by citing a number of articles, from walking-sticks and toilet requisites to toys, for the abolition of the Customs taxes on which tho Labour Party had voted last session. In regard to toys alone they had thrown away revenue to the tune of some £112,000 a year, he declared ; and these were the “responsible men” who claimed that they- were fitted to run the country. (Applause and laughter.) “GOING TO THE COUNTRY” A MEMBER'S VIEW. “We speak about going to the country,” said Mr J. Horn (Wakatipu) in the House last night, “hut I believe J we would come back about the samo' as we are. I believe we halve the best Government we could have —one with a small majority.” HARD TO KILL! THE LIBERAL BANNER. “I bolieve the flag of Liberalism will never die,” said Air J. Horn, in the ! House last night, amidst roars of laughter. Against the government LABOUR MEMBER’S DECLARA'TION. “If anyone moves a no-confidence notion in the present administration we are going to vote with him because we are against the administration, though wo have no particular dislike to the individuals.” —Mr E. J. Howard (Christchurch South) in the House last night. NO LOVE FOR LIBERALS LABOUR MEAIBER’S DECLARATION. One of the Labour Party, Mr E. J. Howard, told tho House last uight that Labour had no more love for the 1 Liberals than for the Reformers, and : if the Liberals reached the Treasury benches he guessed Labour would vote • to put them out, this with the idea that members should go tv tho country. A “DEFEATED" GOVERNMENT AIR VEITCH’S VIEW. “We have a Government on the Treasury benches that was defeated at the last election,” commenced Air W. A. Veiteh in the House last night. Air Speaker: I am afraid the hon. member is getting away from th a point. Air Veiteh: I have said all I wanted to on that point. SUPERANNUATION FOR NURSES _ WILL THERE BE LEGISLATION?

The Hon. AI. Cohen gave notice in tho Legislative Council yesterday of his intention to ask if it is the intention of the Government to introduce this eecsion a measure to make provision for the superannuation of nurses.