HOUSE ASKED TO PASS THREE BILLS QUICKLY

Wanganui Chronicle, 1 September 1950, Page 6

HOUSE ASKED TO PASS THREE BILLS QUICKLY

Legislative Council May Not Sit Next Week

PARLIAMENT BLDGS., Last Night (PA).—lt was disclosed in the House of Representatives today by the Prime Minister (Mr. Holland) that next week the Legislative Council intends to lake an adjournment. Mr. Holland said that it was proposed to take two taxation Bills tomorrow the Land and Income Tax (Annual) Bill and the Land and Income Tax Amendment Bili. Mr. Holland said there would also be the usual Imprest Supply Bill. As a n Imprest Supply Bill debate wa s really a debate inside a financial debate, Mr. Holland thought the House mi:;ht be generous enough to forego a full-dress debate on the Imprest Supply Bill.

Mr. Nash said he could not recollect the House having been asked before to put through in one day three Bills that opened up the whole of the economic ramifications of the Dominion. It was not reasonable to ask that two taxation Bills of major importance.

and an Imprest Supply Bill should go through in one day. Mr. Bowden said that there was justification for the Prime Minister asking for the co-operation of the House i n facilitating the passage of the Bills, because there was to be another Land and Income Tax Amendment Bill later in the session. Certain other taxation proposals in the Budget would be written into this Bill, including an increase in the personal exemntion for people 65 years of age The Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Fraser) said the more Mr. Bowden had explained the amending Bill the more difficult the problem seemed to become. The Opposition was entirely opposed to the removal of lhe 33 1-3 per cent, on unearned income Mr. Holland had given as one reason for wanting the Bills passed tomorrow that the Legislative Council proposed to take an adjournment.

“It is not to be expected that To oblige ‘another place,’ whatever consideration we have customarily extended it, the Opposition must forego its right to discuss these measures,’’ said Mr. Fraser. Even U the Council ' i; d not wish to sit next week.

Opposition had a ri r ht to discuss the Bills before the House He could not give an immediate assurance that the Fills would be passed with the alacrity suggested by the Prime Minister. Mr. Bowden said another reason was that the due date for land tax had been fixed for September 28, and it was necessary to give 14 days’ clear notice. The Bills were read a first time.