PARLIAMENT

Southland Times, Issue 17785, 14 July 1916, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

THURSDAY, 13th JULY, LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON. July 13. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. The SPEAKER, the Hon. CX J. Johnston, feelingly returned thanks for ‘the vote of condolence passed by the Council in’* connection with the death of his youngest son at the war. .IBIr FRANCIS BELL explained; that owing to the illness of one of the managers the proposed conference on the Military Service Bill would not he held until Tuesday. He moved the adjournment of the Council until Tuesday. The Council rose at 2.40 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Mr R. McCALLUM introduced theWairau Harbour Loan Enabling Bill, which was read a first time. THE SAILOR’S FUND. On behalf of the Premier, who is still indisposed. Sir J. G. WARD announced that the following additional contributions towards the British Sailors and Dependents Fund had been received: — Wellington Branch Navy League (second instalment), £5000; Napier Patriotic Society, £1257: Waverley, Patriotic Society (second instalment) £250; Riverton Patriotic Society, £l6l. NATIVE LANDS.

Hie Hon. W. H. HERBIES brought down the annual report of the ’Native Land Courts and Maori Land Boards. The Hon. A. T. NGATA raised a discussion on native lands generally, particularly a scheme for providing returned native soldiers with land. The discussion was continued until after five o’clock, when Mr Herrics rose to reply. He said he thought that generally the treatment accorded to the natives of New Zealand would compare favourably with that meted out to any aboriginal race in the world.’ He did not think it could be a fact, as stated by one bon. member, that one man had secured 13,000 acres of native land in a northern district. He had no departmental information on the matter. Since 1909 the professed policy of the country had been in the form of the opening up of native lands under certain restrictions.

The debate was interrupted by the dinner adjournment. Mr G. V. PEARCE (Patea.) regretted that clause fM giving power to issue debentures lor the purchase of land for settlement still remained. He argued that this was a vicious provision as it would encourage a reckless ministry that believed in paper money to buy land for paper not wofth its face value, and landowners would be compelled to accept. •Sir .1. G. WARD, in reply, said the difficulty was to get money to carry on the war and purchase land at the same time. If power to issue debentures was not given the land could not be puichased for settlement. HVKNING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.20 p.m.^ Several amendments in the I 1 in/tnn? Hill were read by Governor’s Message’. WKI,bINOTON HUNTS. On the motion to go into committee to consider the same Mr d. McCombs (Hytteltoni drew attention to the rent question in Wellington, and asked if the Government intended introducing a Bill dealing with the matter, and when. Sir .1. G. WARD said the question could not be dealt with in the prtssent Hit' The mailer was before Cabinet. A Rill would tie introduced in st day or two. THE ri.NANCK HIT.].. IN COMM ITT KK. ,Tho House went into committee on the Kinance Hill. Sir I. G. WARP remarked that he believed it would lie foil nrl the amendments would fairly nice! ihe objections raised during the second reading. If the committee stage was passed at that sitl'ng lie proposed to take the third reading on I'riday. Air A, 11. lIINhMAIISU (.Wellington South I raised the question of young professional men eligible for service who remained at home and were making profits because their competitors bad gone to the front, elaiming that these, men should not in- entitled to exemption from the excess profits lax. The MINISTKR said thal such cast’s must lie left to tile discretion of the committee. All the circumstances would lie taken into consideration, lint single men could not claim exemption under the hardship clause. After prolonged discussion the Short Title at 11.5 p.m. was passed. In clause 2 an amendment was proposed defining the expression, "income on which tax is payable." which led to a discussion and a division was called for. The amendment proposed that the income tax be increased on assessable incomes by sixpemc in Ihc i up to H Jft| i.

and one shilling in the £ over that sum. Tile clause was under discussion at midnight. The clause was passed. lit clause 1 4 a proviso was added that (ho value of land for the valuation of assets shall be not less than the present sale price. Minor consequential amendments moved by the Minister were made in clauses 15, 16 ,and IT. ' Clause 17a was added. In certain cases of hardship the Commissioner may compute the standard income otherwise than under a previous section. Clause “0 was omitted. A sub-clause was added to clause 21 enabling the Commissioner to make greater provision for a wasting asset. Clauses to 23 were passed as amended by the Minister. At clause 34, giving power to issue debentures in payment of compensation or purchase money for land, objection was taken to the introduction of a new principle by Messrs Pearce and X. unworthy. Sir J. G. Ward agreed to limit the operation of the clause to a period terminating 12 months after the war. An amendment substituting the word “may” for "shall he obliged to,” was rejected on a division by 42 to 2. A proviso added on the motion of the Minister limiting the operation of the clause to the term of the war with Germany, and twelve months after was carried on a division by 40 to 2. Clause 2S was omitted and a new clause substituted giving power to make regulations as to investment of money*, and rates of interest. (Left sitting).