PARLIAMENTARY GALLERY NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3312, 5 September 1917, Page 41

PARLIAMENTARY GALLERY NOTES.

By Pat. WELLINGTON, September 1. The compulsory provisions of the Finance Bill have galvanised into activity many who thought themselves too insignificant fanancially to bo of much use in the loan, lno House seems to have experienced a shock, which has acted as a tonic and stimulated some useful criticism on the Bill as a whole. It is thought that the compulsory contribution clauses, coupled with the diminution in the amount of exemption from Income Tax, will hit rather too hard fathers of argo will hit rather too hard fathers of large families struggling with the increased cost of living. Sir John Findlay, among others, in a temperate and thoughtful speech, directed the Finance Minister's attention to this point; not unduly pressing it, but leaving it to his consideration as a "humane man." Sir John made a careful and busi-ness-like analysis of the effect of the income tax on mutual assurance societies, which, he reminded the House, "are not profitmaking concerns for the benefit of shareholders, but organisations of thrifty people, making provisions for old oge/j He cited striking figures from the position of the A.M.P.

As to the compulsory provisions, they are generally regarded as right in principle, though lobby gossip suggests that failure to subscribe to a loan prior to the present Bill should not be punished by ex post facto legislation. No one has yet dealt with this point on the floor of the House. The drafting of these provisions and of the Bill generally has been approved by Mr Wilford and others. Sir Joseph Ward was warmly complimented by Sir John Findlay upon his clear exposition of the provisions of the Bill.

The non-exemption of mortgages from the graduated land tax came in for criticism. Mr Pcarce (Patoa) was hot on the subject. Ho showed that compulsory contributing provisions may be hard on landholders with heavy mortgages. It is evident that the banks will be busy institutions for some time arranging affairs for War Loan contributors. However, the money must be raised, and all will gradually understand that.

Dr Newman took a somewhat unexpected line, declaring the Government were borrowing too heavily, and should use the moneys laid by in London, and ho protested that economy is not sufficiently practised by the Government. He objected to tho tea tax, and, in agreement with many others, protested at the light burden on the brewers. He declared Sir Joseph's finance to be "old," and said it had been practised by another Joseph in ancient days. Mr Isitt naturally spoke forcibly on the subject of liquor, and Mr Vigor Brown (brewer), for reasons best known to himself, wished to tax whisky instead of tea; but most of his remarks were relevant to nothing in heaven above or on the earthbeneath.

However, in his reply on Friday night Sir Joseph Ward astonished the House by declaring that he had investigated the matter, and had seen the audited accounts of two brewers' firms, and that brewers are not making huge profits. On the contrary, one of the largest, after paying income tax on last year's operations, made no profit, but lost money. He took the opportunity, too, of assuring the House that he has no interest in any brewery or hotel, nor has he ever had any such interest, and had refused to act even as trustee for relatives who were formerly interested in brewing. It strikes outsiders as almost impossible to break down the defence of liquor against attack on its inordinate profits. The public know that huge profits are being made, and wants to catch the profiteer. If not the brewer, who is the profiteer? In his speech Sir Joseph Ward touched on all points where the Bill had been criticised, and promised relief to companies where necessary, though ho stated that individuals and companies must not expect to escape their share. Bachelors arc required in the country, and are not to be taxed; but in Committee married men with children will receive consideration and relief. The money must be found. During the course of his reply Sir Joseph Ward waxed witty at the expense of Dr Newman. He was glad, he said, that Wellington East's member had been seeking consolation in the Scriptures, but sorry' he was incorrect in his quotations. (Clearly, the Finance Minister or his secretary has been searching.) Dr Newman had referred to Joseph and Josiah, but had forgotten Jeremiah, who went about wailing and gnashing his tooth. Reserves must be built up, otherwise the country "must apply to Moses" in the unavoidable absence of Joseph, Josiah, and Jeremiah. Dr Newman also smiled when the Hou?e roared. Even Mr M'Combs joined in the general merriment, he whose habitual attitude is one of "strong disapproval of everything" and everybody. Mr Webb, in his contribution to the debate, declared he disapproved of all taxes, and considered the required money should be raised by confiscating all income higher than £2OOO. Mr Craigio was sorry wealth had not been confiscated; but one member declared the Bill cot very close to the confiscation of wealth, and he was glad Ten separate members have, been puggested as "possible" for the vacant Cabinet seat by penole who know nothing about anything. Tho very latest rumour outside parliamentary circles is that "tho harmless, nceossarv Bnddo" will be chosen. Sir James Carroll's name has been suggested, chiefly because he is regarded as "one who has no enemies in the House." "Laissozfa;re" being Sir James Carroll's life-long policy, tho writer hardly thinks that the Government would dare; but one never knows. Po-ssibly the scat will not be filled at all. When the day comes for dividing the kudos —tho smaller the divisor, the greater the dividend. Unfortunately this also applies to tho quality called Blame. It. is renortcd that, tho Government finds itsolf too heavy to move about with ease, and the Prime Minister has announced that the Cabinet is sick of "pin-pricks." and if the House decides that it want" a general election if shall have if. And immediately there is a bill in that particular storm. Dr Thaeker and others, who were quite certain that there was to be no election during the war. now are doing a. little rmief meditation. iSlippose there is an election, and suppose they are not again returned. Pov'sh the thought, for Dr Thaeker regards himself as the saviour of politics, flip physician who ministers unto tho mind d-sensed. Nevertheless he is ouieter now—and so are others. Not. so John Payne, who. because he understands finance, interrupts with approving "Hear, hoars." and laughs scorn-

fully when ho does not approve. It is noted that he frequently suggested a word to Sir Joseph Ward during the lattcr's statement on Friday night, and, quite unconsciously, Sir Joseph accepted -t. A queer mixture is Grey Lynn's representative —able, but erratic.

The name of Mr T. K. Sidey has been mentioned more than once as the possible Cabinet Minister, but gossip declares that when the National Cabinet was forrnqd T. K. ceased to lovo Sir Joseph Ward, not because he disapproved of the Cabinet as a Cabinet, but because he was disappointed personally. .Some go so far as to say that Sir Joseph had promised him a seat when next the Ward party came into power. Possibly this explains the other rumour—namely, that Sir John Find!ay, if offered a seat, will decline it, preferring to reserve himself for the leadership of a new party, and that Mr Sidey will bo a supporter of the party. Sir John Findlay's supposed determination in this matter is regarded as a trifle? premature. His return to politics was marked by an assumption of superiority. It is possible that the mind which ho plainly considers great will bo regarded as too great to bo conveniently accommodated in so crowded an assemblage of intellect. Mr Poland and Mr Forbes are also mentioned; but few have suggested Mr Isitt or Mr Ell. The new member must be a Liberal, though party considerations are supposed to have been laid aside. It is freely stated that Mr Wilford will not be chosen. The House will be divided over the tea tax, which is strongly disapproved by many, though Mr Vernon Reed has had the courage rto announce that ilio .. welcomes it, because it will directly hit people who are hardly aware that a war is on, and who are wildly extravagant. Mr M'Oombs pityingly asked how he considered that a man could be extravagant on £2 10s a week. How indeed? But they are. When Sir James Allen was speaking about the Efficiency Board in his reply to Mr Witty's motion to introduce the Parliamentary Elections Postponement Bill, Ds Thacker interrupted him by calling it the '"Allen Board." Continuing, Sir James Allen said he- would be pleased to call it the Allen Board, and was proud of it, though he could not claim credit for its creation. Cabinet was responsible. Ho hoped the board would still be persuaded to _ remain in office. And it was at this point that the Prime Minister announced the Government's intention to hold an election if a majority in the House declared in favour of euch a course. He did not believe the country desired to change the Government; but the country's representatives must decide whether or not the country is to bo given an opportunity to declare its desire. He then recapitulated all the good things accomplished by the National Cabinet.

During the debate on the Imprest Supply, Mr Veitch declared that the country holds the National Cabinet in supreme contempt, and that the people bitterly regret the Government's failure in attempting to secure the profits which have been made through the exigencies of the war. During the week the Defence Minister has announced that the Pensions Act, when amended, will provide that a man's pension shall not be affected by his earning capacities. It is desirable that all returned soldiers shall bo encouraged to work, and they must be made to feel that in working and taking part in civil life they arc not endangering their pensions. He referred appreciatively to the War Pensions Board, and commended the sympathetic qualities .of the Commissioner of Pensions, and declared that a War Pensions Appeal Board is indispensable. ( The Finance Bill has been read a second time, and the House has adjourned till Tuesday, many members declaring that they propose to spend the week-end in mortgaging their properties to raise their contributions towards the loan. Sir Joseph Ward has hinted that still heavier taxation may be enforced if the war continues long after next year.

A Bill has been lost from tho Cabinet room, and Mr M'Combs lias quoted from it in the Houso, only explaining the following day that he was reading tua quotations from a paper in which the Bill had been published. He received no sympathy from the House when tho Prime Minister wrathfully referred to the dishonourable method by which it must have been obtained. Nor did tho Speaker request the Prime Minister to withdraw the word " dishonourable " when it was discovered that Mr M'Combs was only reading from tho article which had already been made public. _ Who supplied tho Christehureh paper with the Bill? Mr Maasey pointed out the seriousness of tho. position, and stated that the Bill had only been prepared for discussion in the Cabinet, and that on another occasion, when another Bill had been taken from the Cabinet Room, Mr Seddon had investigated the matter by Royal Commission. Let us hope that Mr Massey will follow Mr Seddon's excellent example. PATRIOTIC FUNDS. The administration of patriotic funds was referred to in tho Houso of Representatives on the 30th, when Mr VV. H. Field asked the Minister of Internal Affairs whether there was any proposal before the Government for the nationalisation of these funds, or whether there was any proposal for putting them under national control. The Hon. Mr Russell said there was no proposal before the Government for taking over or in any way interfering with the control of patriotic societies, which had charge of their own funds, and there was not a possibility of such a matter being considered. However, there was established under "The War Funds Act, 1915," a National War Funds Council, to which any society might confine its funds. Practically the whole of Westland and the Btiller district had joined and had paid over their funds (o the National Council. Tho local executives met from month to month, and drew whatever funds were required for the benefit of tho sick and wounded and the dependents of soldiers. The last time the War Funds Council mot representatives from these districts had. waited upon it and expressed their appreciation of the council. The Mayor of Westport, who represented the Buller Society, stated that he was surprised that no more societies had taken advantage of the Act. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS.

The following wore amongst the answers piven to questions by Ministers:—That the Lands Department will be asked to recommend for physical features and beauty .spots names associated with British history instead of names of enemy nationalities; that the money lent by the Government Insurance Department will pay income tax in the same way as that, of any other trading

institution, but money lent on mortgage by the Public Trustee from the common fund will not be liable to taxation, the funds from which advances are made being Government funds, and there being no object in taxing them; that it is inadvisable to bring the Post Office Savings Bank into line with the commercial banks in the matter of provision for depositors to operate on accounts by cheques; that when General Godleywas promoted by the Imperial authorities to the command of an army corps he volunteered to continue the direct administration of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces in general, and this offer was gladly accepted by the- New Zealand Government with the approval of the Army Council; General Godloy co-ordinates the work of General Russell (commanding the Now Zealand Expeditionary Force in France), General Chaytor (commanding the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in Egypt), and General Richardson (in the United Kingdom); such co-ordination of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces is absolutely essential; that rum is issued at reinforcement camps in New Zealand on the recommendation of the principal medical officer at each camp; that the Government has power to purchase the Union Steam Ship Company's ships at definite prices, which were fixed in the charter parties, being the value at the time the charters were entered into. FREEDOM OF SPEECH. The War Regulations Act was the subject of a brief discussion in the House of Representatives, when Mr Webb asked if the Prime Minister or the Attorney-general could give any information as to when the amendment to the. War Regulations Bill would corne down. Mr Massoy: What, do you refer to? Mr Webb: I refer to freedom of speech. The Prime Minister said he was not certain that there would be any amendment to the War Regulations Act. There would be an amendment of the War Legislation Act. He was referring to the legislation asked for by the House in relation to the shortening of hours of licensed liquor bars. Mr Webb said he was speaking about the war regulations made some months ago. Would they come up for ratification by the House? Mr Massey: No, certainly not.