PARLIAMENT

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 86, 16 August 1923, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. COMPETITION WITH RAILWAY. Per Press Ar s* ciation. Wellington, August 15. The Tlouso of toet at 2.30 p.m. The Minister for Publl« Works (th« Hon. J. G. Coates), in moving the second reading of the P.blic Woiku Amendment Bill, Baid the provisions were mainly of a machii eey character. Mr T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposit'o-i) a>ked the meaning of \ clause two. There roust he some particular purpose for it and he asked what it was. The clause would giv.} the Government power to take any part of a public reserve or public domnitL wi+hout any protest, except as to the amount of compensation. The House shcu'd see that all domains were properly guarded. The power givon the Government was too v.'ide. Mr Wilford also d*w attention to the {.mount of money Invested in motor vehicles in New Zealand, wh : ch was £16.000,000. In twenty years' time the value of t>uch vehicles would probably exceed the value/ of- " tho railways. Motor tractioh was \ m important th** the Government should Uotj every endeavor to provide perniaiitnt roadways and all motorvehicVs should be taxed specially for road construction pj.-poses. The Minister, replying, siid regarding flnuse two power to take action existed, hut there was no machinery to carry out the aetinn. There were many reserves through which it is desirable that roads should he'eon-sii-ucted and this clause provided the rnstohinery for this. Regarding motor traffic and permanent iwd constriction, he agreed that they should impose a bpecinl tnx on motor", but Parliament did not rowi ready to do so. The subject must at the earliest date be dealt with finally en its economic merit. The time would come when we must decide between the rail or the other system of transit nnd how far each should be maintained.

The Bill was read a second time without a division and was later passed. COMPANIES BILL The second reading of the Companies Amendment Bill wag aa.'-<vod by the Hon. W. D. Stewart. Th-j Bill extends Jhe duration of the Ceinpanies Amendment Act of 1922 until D,oea»ber 31. 1924, the intention being to give certain co-operative companies a, further opportunity ■*■ ofe*avoiding liquidation, under the ganetion of the Jiupreme Court. M r W. A. Veitch (VVanganui) argued that there were two sides to thia question, and he wanted to know whether the Minister had heard r©~ presont&tionii of the creditors of the companies cmcerned before he decided to further extend thig protection. It seemed to him there had been .no representation to the Mini istor except a request from representatives of the companies. He was not opposing the Bill, but he knew that the financial position of gome/' ■" poopie had l>eon seriously prejudiced by ihis legislation.

The Hon. J. A. Hanaii (Inwrcargill) said the tendency of tnu class of legislation wag to encourage people to ..think that they could recklessly plunge into business speculations, and when disaster came as a result of want of proper care they could come to the Government to prep up their tottering institution. The Minister, in reply, said tb© whole position was left in the hand* of the Supreme Court, and if any creditor ocfculd satisfy the court that protection should not be given then * the measure would not operate. Tho Bill was i«ad a second time. The House then went into commifctcp on the Bill, which was passed. DEATH DUTIES AMENDMENT. Tlie Death Duties Amendment Bill was passed with the deletion of clause two exempting from gift duty a settlement made in respect of the marriage of a daughter of a settler. LAND AND INCOME TAX. Tho annual Land and Income Tax Bill was introduced in the House irate to-night by Governor-General's message. ' ;

The Premier explained that the Bill abolished the remaining 10 per cent, super land tax. It reduced the income lax by 20 per cent all round and increased the local bodies and company debenture tax from 2s 6d to 4s 6d in the £. The House rose at 10.30 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. to-morrow. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Sir Francis Bell announced his intention of dropping the Land Transfer Amendj*ent Bill in order that those to be effected by it would between now - and next session have an opportunity of becoming acquainted with its provisions. The Customs Amendment Bill was put through all remaining stages and pa:-sed. The Swings Bank Amendment Bill was passed, with an addition by the Statutes Revision Committee to the effect that >alf the net profits of the veir may be paid over to certain institutions, and that any portion of accuraulaiel prwfits exceeding 10 per cent, may be similarly disposed of. The Council ro*e at 4.5 p.». till 2.30 p.m. to-morrow.