N.S.W. POLITICS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 547, 27 December 1928, Page 9

N.S.W. POLITICS

“GAG” USED FREQUENTLY IMPORTANT MEASURES PASSED During its last sitting the New South Wales Parliament created a record in divisions on one clause of a Bill. All-night sittings were the general order, and in m£ny instances the “guillotine” was brought ir.to force. On one clause of the General Exemption %of the Tax Rates Bill there were 75 divisions. The Government was defeated on a snap vote on this clause, and it took the Premier of New South Wales, Mr. T. R. Bavin, four hours to reverse the decision, two hours to restore the clause, and another three of four hours to pass the complete Bill. These interesting facts about the New South Wales Parliament were given by Mr. E. S. Marks, M.L.A. for North Sydney, who is a visitor to Auckland. The Mouse rose the day before he sailed. Mr. Marks said that the last session of the New South Wales Parliament was a most strenuous one. Something like 12* important measures were dealt with. One sitting lasted from 2.30 o’clock one afternoon until 5 o’clock the following morning. Since the Premier delivered his policy speech, said Mr. Marks, he has been fulfilling, one by one, the promises made, and has been trying to place New South Wales in a sound position after three years of Labour rule. During the last session, which lasted from September to December, the following measures have been passed, in most cases with the assistance of the ‘gag” or guillotine:

The Income %ax Bill, which is intended more equitably to adjust the incidence of taxation, widen the area of taxation, close loopholes in the old Act and prevent evasion of taxation. The Local Government Bill, which provides for adult municipal franchise and several important amendments to the old Act. The Electoral Bill, which provides for the readjustment of the electoral boundaries, one roll for both Federal and State elections, an independent commission to take control of all questions in connection with State elections, to provide for three additional country seats, and to make enrolment and preferential voting compulsory. The Fair Rents Bill, which abolishes a Bill introduced by the Labour Government, which fixed rents on the 1915 basis. At the end of five years the court will cease to exist. The Housing Bill, which enables the State Savings Bank to advance up to 90 per cent, for house building and places a iai'ge sum of money, in addition to that provided by the Commonwealth Government, for the use of prospective house-builders. The Railway and Tramway Bill, which separates the railways from the tramways, making each a separate trading concern with its own office. Mr. Marks says .that another busy session is expected when the House meets again in February. Several contentious measures will be brought forward, including the Crimes Bill, providing for gaol and the lash for razor gangs and gaol and fines for drunken motorists; the Milk Bill, the Transport Bill and the Hospital Bill. The February session will last for only four weeks, and the next session will begin in August, when the two most important -measures will be the Reform of the Upper House Bill and the Greater Sydney Bill.