LABOUR. ATTITUDE TO THE RIGHT OF INHERITANCE

Wanganui Chronicle, 7 May 1948, Page 4

LABOUR. ATTITUDE TO THE RIGHT OF INHERITANCE

Conference Defeats Remit Aimed At Abolishing It

(P.A,) Dunedin, May 6. A further host of remits covering a wide variety of subjects, particularly those relating to aspects of policy and finance, occupied the attention of the Labour Party conference during the greater part of the session. Although such contentious subjects as Governmental control of breweries and other major industries, the right of inheritance, and taxation suggestions were all brought under review, the business of the conference proceeded with remarkable despatch Optimistic predictions that the conference would be completed this evening were, however, not borne out, and the final session will take place in the morning.

INTER-ISLAND FERRY. A remit which has appeared on the party agenda at previous conferences, "that the Government should take over and/or control the Union Steam Ship Company” was dismissed with a resolution that the national executive should request the Government to examine the advisability of acquiring the ferry service between the two islands and report back to the next conference. RIGHT OF INHERITANCE. A remit that the right of inheritance be abolished was reported by a

committee to have been rejected. The Minister of Finance (Mr. Nash), explaining the rejection, said that to deny a right of inheritance would destroy all savings and would mean the end of life insurance. If a man died hie wife and family would automatc-i ally be deprived of the home they lived In, and that did not make sense. He recommended to the conference to approve the present system of death duties, and reaffirm the right of inheritance. On the voices his recommendation was carried unanimously. Four of the remits listed under a general heading were rejected when brought before the conference. They were: “That birthday and New Year honours be abolished.” “That the use of all army, navy, and air force titles In civilian life be prohibited." "That all Maori correspondence be written in both Maori and English languages." "that a more suitable day be chosen for Labour Day." A suggestion that suitable flaying areas be made available for those who desired to participate in Sunday sport was rejected as the matter was on< for local bodies.