WORK OF PARLIAMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21409, 10 August 1931, Page 8

WORK OF PARLIAMENT

TAXING BILLS AWAITED HOUSE NOT UNANIMOUS PARTY FEELING ON FUSION ISSUE (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, August 8. Having learned the nature of the Government’s financial proposals as outlined in the Budget the country awaited with the keenest expectation the opening of the debate on Wednesday evening, because not. until then were the Reform Party’s intentions announced. Although it was expected that the Reform Party would, by refraining from hostility in this debate, affirm the principle ,of balancing the Budget this year, it was known that the recent party caucuses had found difficulty in reaching any decision on the question and not until Wednesday afternoon was it announced that Mr Coates, and not Mr Stewart, would open the discussion. On Wednesday evening, however, Mr Forbes again breathed freely when Mr Coates announced that so far as this debate \was concerned the party’s attitude would be more critical than decisive. His speech, however, and those which followed from his side of the House were devoid of any guarantee that this attitude would be maintained when the House is asked to approve the taxation proposals which will be embodied in the Customs Amendment Bill and the Land and Income Tax Amendment Bill. One of the rank and file members of the Reform Party, Mr Ansell, went so far as to say that the methods of imposing extra taxation were quite unacceptable to his side of the House and he added significantly, “ That puts it definitely enough.” Complaint was made by Reform members of the manner in which the party’s helpful attitude was accepted by the Government. The Reform leader offered constructive criticism and alternative suggestions which he and his followers considered would be more acceptable to the people of the country, but in the words of Mr Stewart, the speech of the chief speaker on the Government side, Mr Ransom, was “ indiscreet and not at all helpful.” Mr Ansell, too, complained of Mr Ransom’s speech, which, he said, had treated the Leader of the Opposition “ with scant consideration.” To those who were listening to the Minister of Lands it was apparent that he was determined to deliver the speech he had prepared irrespective of criticism or help which came from the other side of the House and the result was an excellent platform speech for the cause of his party, but one which poured very little oil on the troubled political waters. “ Throughout the past year I have been trying to bring about a political truce,” Mr Stewart,said, in referring to this situation in the House. “It says in the Good Book that ‘blessed are the peacemakers,’ but I have my doubts about the political peacemakers. When one is trying to bring about peace, all one gets is maledictions.” The Labour Party is still frankly hostile to the Government’s method of balancing the national accounts. Along with the Reform Party, Mr Holland and his colleagues agreed to allow this debate to go unchallenged, but the Labour leader announced his intention of disputing every item in the proposed Customs increases, and expressed his confidence that in at least some of these divisions he would have the Reform Party with him. Some extravagant side-play was indulged in by various members of the House during the first few days of the debate on the ticklish subject of a proposed National Government. An illtimed interjection by Mr Samuel during the speech 'of his leader on Wednesday started a wrangle between Mr Coates and Mr Holland upon the respective attitudes of the Reform and Labour parties upon the Prime Minister’s offer of fusion. Labour claims that it was not invited to join in the fusion negotiations. Mr Holland says: “ Extend to us the invitation, and there will he no ambiguity about our answer.” Mr Coates retains his former attitude of assistance, at the same time reserving the right of criticism from his position as Leader of the Opposition. The possibility of the defeat of the Government can never be completely lost sight of by the Prime Minister, who, when the taxation Bills are analysed in committee, may find himself faced with the censure of the House and with the prospect of an early appeal to the country. The Budget debate is likely to last for tho whole of next week, and if members maintain their present tendency to occupy the full; hour allotted to them the discussion might extend into tho following week. There is still some legislation in prospect, and some important committees, including the Committee on Privilege in connection with the trading coupon system, are waiting to report. The Gift. Coupon Bill, the appearance of which has been delayed on account of drafting difficulties, is understood to be nearly ready for presentation, and may be introduced on Tuesday, The next few weeks in Parliament will be full of the greatest * interest. The remainder of the Budget debate is expected to produce some bright speeches mi individual viewpoints of the Financial Statement. After that is over, there will be plenty of definite legislation awaiting the consideration of members, many of whom will doubtless bo pleased to pass from the preparatory stage to the real work of the session.