PARLIAMENT

Southland Times, Issue 17783, 12 July 1916, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

TUESDAY, mil JUDY. J, I■:< lIS DA TI K ('O U .VC IL. (Per United Press Association.) WEDDINGTON. .luly 11. The CmiTK’il met at 2.20 p.m. THK MILITARY BILK. The Council agreed In a conference with managers of the House of Representatives mi the Military Service' Kill, and the Hons. Sir J’, Kell, O. Samuel, and \V. Morgan were appointed managers on behalf of the Council. Tiie following local Kills were received from the House of Representatives, and read a first time: Auckland Harbour Hoard Empowering, Wanganui Korough Council Street Access Kmj lowering Amendment: City of Nelson Loan Conversion and Empowering Amendment. CONDOLENCE. A motion of condolence with the Speaker and his family on the death of Ids youngest son at the war, was passed on the motion of Sir F. Kell, seconded by the Hon. .1. D. Ormond. The Council then adjourned as a mark of respect at 2.4 5 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.20 p.m. PUBLIC BUILDINGS. Sir .1. G. WARD laid on the table the animal statement concerning the public buildings of the Dominion, which raised a lengthy discussion, the inadequate accommodation at the Christchurch, Timaru, and Dunedin post offices being voiced by local members. Mr G. J. .ANDERSON put in an emphatic protest against the lack of expedition displayed in the erection of the new Parliament buildings, his contention being supported by Dr Newman, Dr Thacker, Messrs Forbes, Jsitt, Witty, and Edward Newman. The Hon. A. T. NGATA contended that work on Parliament buildings should be stopped, or at least delayed, and the money expended on roads in the backblocks. The Hon. W. FRASER, in reply, said that the whole delay in the erection of the Parliament buildings was due to the difficulty of getting marble. Delay also occurred In getting steel required in the construction of the roof. He intended to complete the building in accordance with the original design, so that it would be a credit to all concerned. Sir J. G. WARD, referring to application for expenditure on post offices, said it was recognised that during the war expenditure on buildings must be limited. There ws*s no intention on the pari of tiie Government to go in for a building programme at the present time. The total amount paid for office accommodation at Wellington amounted to £SBOO, not £3 0,000, as had been stated. The paper was ordered to be printed.

EVENING SESSION. THE FINANCE BIEL. The House resumed at 7.30, when Mr J. ANSTEY (Waitaki) continued the debate on the second reading of the Finance Bill. He thought the Government was to be congratulated on the wide powers Parliament was prepared to give them In carrying on the finance of tho country, but thought the House was entitled to a further explanation than the Finance Minister had given them. No reason was given why four more millions than the amount stated In the Budget were required. He favoured exemptions being reduced to £2OO. Referring to war profits he regretted that the term “wax profits” had "been eliminated. He had not met a single farmer who objected to pay his share of necessary taxation, while he was sure some who ought to bear their , share of taxation would escape. Too much power was left in the hands of the Commissioner, and he thought it advisable to provide for an Appeal Board. The Dominion was highly prosperous. No sacrifices were being made, and the present was a good time to enact taxation'. Dr NEWMAN (Wellington East), said the finance proposals were calculated to cause consternation. He thought the Finance Minister would have been wisely advised had the proposals first been submitted' to” the Public Accounts Committee. He criticised adversely several features of the Bill, and contended that a number of the smaller men of the dominion were unfairly taxed when compared with rich men. He pointed out that young lawyers, doctors, and others of that class would be unfairly taxed. He also favoured the appointment of a Board of Appeal, and pointed out that the taxation was generally on thrift, while he considered it should be levied on luxuries, it was a matter for regret that no attempts were made to pay off any indebtedness, although money was being accumulated as a reserve in London, especially when we had two years of unexampled prosperity. He contended that too much money was being raised for public works. In England people were advised to economise, while We were making no provision for tho rainy day that now would inevitably follow on the war.

Mr T. K. fcjIUKV (Dunedin South) said that had the Government adopted a bold policy they would have commandeered all primary products, but as this policy had not been carried out an export tax should have been imposed.

Mr W. NOSWORTHV (Ashburton)contemled that the gradation of income tax over £2OOO should have been largely increased. He argued that voluntary taxation, such as on amusements and beer, should have been utilised. He strongly objected to clause R5, which gave ttie Minister power to raise loans at a higher rate of interest than prescribed by the Act, and no person shall be concerned to enquire whether the necessity has arisen for the payment of any higher rate of interest. He also objected to a man being compelled to take debentures in payment for land, acquired by the Crown. The dominion had a heavy load of taxation to carry, but he thought if affairs were administered with care and prudence it could he carried. Mr J. PAY.NE (Grey Lynn) commented on the fact that there was lying at the banks over twenty millions, which was not paying interest, the loss to owners being about one million yearly. He adversely criticised sonic of the proposals of the Bill. After the supper adjournment. Air PAVNK said lie thought tSio House would not tolerate the lowering of the exemption until as a matter of ("quite taxation was raised on higher incomes. Mr A. HARRIS (Waitetnata) argued in favour of differentiation for taxation purposes between earned and unearned incomes, and expressed himself in favour of lowering the amount of exemption under the income tax. He thought the proposals for the taxation of excess profits wrong. The levy should l>o on war profits. He approved of a war bonus to civil servants only on incomes up to £2OO. Mr L. M. 1 SITT (Christchurch North) thought it impossible for a measure like the Finance Rill to he brought down without some inequities. He urged the taxation of amusement, and thought it would check waste and encourage thrift.

Mr A. IS. GIjOVKU (Auckland Central i favoured an export duly on wool, meat, cheese, and other products. Ml' .1. TALBOT (Tomukai I hanked the Minister for aid driven to Friendly Societies, although it did not, go as far as ho desired.

Mr VyrNO moved the adjournment of the debate and the House rose at 11.’Jo p.m.