THE DEFENCE SYSTEM

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 91, 5 July 1930, Page 6

THE DEFENCE SYSTEM

uppeiThouse discussion TAX ON ASSESSMENTS , SUGGESTED Yesterday, two members of the Legislative Council (the Hon. A. S. Malcolm ami the Hon. (I. J. Garland) spoke appreciatively of the Government's intention to amend the Defence system. The Hon. Malcolm could not see the use of training an army without there was an objective aheadWELLINGTON, July 4. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. to-day. The Coroners Amendment Bill, the Law Practitioners ’ Amendment Bill, the New Zealand University Amendment Bill, the Judicature Amendment Bill, the Offenders’ Probation Amendment Bill and the Prevention of Crime (Borstal Institutions Establishment) Amendment Bill, were read a second time pro forma and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. Resuming the debate on the Address-in-Reply the Hon. A. S- Malcolm said ho was delighted to know the Govern ment intended to effect economics in the Defence Bill. He did not sce. thet necessity for training a army in times of peace. There did hot appear to bo any likelihood of a New Zealand force being required overseas in the near future. It was little use training nn army unless there was some definite objective ahead. The Hon. !. M. Isitt declared that no one would envy the new Prime Minister in the task im had undertaken. If he were in his position he would, at once, put a tax on luxuriesHe condemned the present taxation ol racing clubs as inequitable, and went on to suggest that a further tax might be put on amusements. There wi-re some young people who were going to pictures as much as two, three and four times a week. The Hon. Isitt also suggested that the liquor trade was not paying its fair share of taxation. There was an all-round need for economy, not only on the part of the Government but on the part of private individuals as well. The Hon. G. Garland expressed pleasure at the fact that the Government was showing an increasing interest in land settlement, and promised them ms support in the meantime at. least. e Hiring to the defence system, ho said there were too many men drawing large salaries and some of them should be hived off. Reductions could be made in the expenditure on defence. _ At 4.30 p.m. the Council adjourned until 2.30 on Wednesday, the debate being adjourned on the motion of the Hon W. H. Mclntyre.