PARLIAMENTARY GALLERY NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3212, 6 October 1915, Page 67

PARLIAMENTARY GALLERY NOTES.

By P.vr. Summer is almost here. The country calls, arid members of Parliament are preparing to leave the House of Talk and go back to other places. Dr 1 hacker protests that the Prime Minister is showing an unseemly desire to be rid of them all, and no one contradicts him. Dills have gone through at top speed, and there has been no delay in the Legislative Comic. 1. The Taxation Bill passed the third reading on Tuesday evci.ng without violent discussion. The two most radical ieaturcs relate to farmers and mortages. in each case both cap.tal and income are taxed. In the opinion of many —and probably the great majority—of financiers such aoubio taxation could only be justdied by too exigencies of war. In practice no great hardship will bo inflicted, because sufterers from these taxes will be parting with only part of the profits which are the result of the high prices and high interest caused by the war itself. It -was originally intended to tax “soft drinks,” and their exemption from taxation will cause disappointment, as the tax would have reached many persons who are relieved therefrom at the expense of those whose drinking habits they delight in rebuking. The increased tax on heavy leer seems to bo an attempt at a moral effect. r I no abandonment ot the tax on oils was expected ; but the imposition cf a primage duty of 1 per cent, has the, perhaps, un-looked-for effect of touching the worker’s oil, as it would not have been touch'd otherwise. The stamp duties on agreements for the sale of land will be unpopular v. ith land speculators; but few tears will bo shed for them. The 1 per cent, rax on stakes paid by racing clubs is favourably regarded, for the payers will feel it come out of “found” money. Taken on the broad, members realise that the taxation not is spread wide; but it scorns a pity chat teetotallers should not be allowed to help to carry the burden.

In spite of tho protests of Mr M‘Combs, who appears to bo a singlc-taxcr, and of Mr Webb, and of an attempted .intendment concerning the primage duty (moved by Mr Hine), the Bill went through with expedition.

Trcntham Camp and tho Commissioners’ report upon it wore discussed on Monday night. Generally speaking, the House is now completely satisfied. All is well at Trcntham. Replying to members, the Minister of Defence expressed regret that Dr Thacker did not immediately say so to those in authority when, and if, he did diagnose tho terrible disease as ccrebro-spinal meningitis.

Byron was surprised on awaking one day to find himself famous, and Mr Wilford (Hutt) must have experienced a similar surprise on finding himself the object of sympathy among a largo number of consistent political opponents. The occasion was a somewhat acrid reply given by the Minister of Defence to what was generally thought to be a very reasonable question by Mr Wilford. Mr Wilford’s sharp interjection, in reply, brought him under tho ban of Mr Speaker, and ended in his suspension for the afternoon. Mr Wilford asked the Minister if ho did not consider that tho Government should hoar tho whole cost of equipping the second Hospital Ship, and whether he did not think the time had come when all people should bo taxed for such a purpose. Mr Wilford explained that the same generous people contribute to every patriotic venture, and it seemed to him that this was not as it should be. In replying, the Minister ,cxplained that tho greater part of tho equipment, etc., is being borne, by the Government; but he personally declined to deprive tho women of New Zealand of their pleasure in working for tho soldiers. Mr Wilford described the answer ns “ a rerty one.” and though ho Inter substituted tho word “typical.” ho declined to make further amends. Result; A painful scene. Tho Minister’s tone and his severe admonitory look did the damage. His sincere admirers regret exceedingly (hat with him there cannot bo more “ suaviter in modo,” and less “ fort-iter in re.”

The most amazing part of the v. hole episode is that Mr Wilford, out of his varied vocabulary, should have selected such an nndes'rahlo word to express his dislike of the Minister’s answer. Another amazing aspect is that the House should have 1 ad a division on the question of whether the Speaker should he supported in his decision. The country should be interested in noting- the names of the 17 who professed to believe that the Speaker should not he supported. The M'ners’ Phthsis Bill was brought in hv the Hon. Mr Fraser on Wednesday night, and was passed. This provides a pension for totally incapacitated miners who are deserving cases. During the week there has been an interesting debate on “ raffles.” Apparently the law does not intend to be very harsh with people who wish to raise money for n-Wriot’e purposes hv raffling works of art: but it does not intend to countenance a gambb'ngmania. “The powers that b-e ” have been a little bbnd for some months; buf they wish it known that they realise what is gO'Ug OP. The annual Public Works was presented to the House by the Minister on Fridnv afternoon, and very late that night the House went into committee. Tt. is generally b- lievod that the session will end in a few davs.