AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 24 December 1926, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

tPer Press Association —Copyright). SYDNEY, Dec. 23. 'Che Governments’s proposed tax on newspapers was the subject of a hot debate ini the Assmbly to-day. Member after member of the Opposition denounced the Bill in unmeasured terms. “Disgraceful,” “damnable,” “iniquitious,” “extraordinary” and “retrograde” were a lew of the expressions used. Mr Chatfey moved an amendment for the exemption of the first 10,000 of anv publication from the tax. Mr Lang offered that, if Mr Chaff'ey withdrew his amendment, he would substitute an amendment providing for 15,000 exemption, instead of 10,000, as now provided in the Bill, as the limit; of publication where the tax becomes operative. Air Chaffer pointed out that . this offer of the Premier’s would have the effect of making papers publishing over 15,000 pay on the whole issue. He and other members of the Opposition claimed the Bill was aimed at the metropolitan papers which opposed the Government, therefore, he declined to accept the Premier’s amendment. After further discussion, in which Mr Scott Fell prophesied the Bill would sound the death knell of the Labour Party, and a member had suggested glass tax, Mr Chaffey’s amendment was negatived by 45 votes to 41. in the Assembly, Air Scully moved an amendment to the Newspapers Tax Bill, for the substitution of 15,000 copies, as the exemption limit, in place of 10,000 in the original motion. Air Bavin protested, but did not press for a division, and the amendment was carried on the voices. Mr Davidson moved the exemption from the tax of all newspapers, the price of which is 3d or over. | Mr Davidson’s motion was carried by i 45 votes to 40. The Bill, as amended, was rushed I through the remaining stages. 1 A bombshell against the Government ' was launched by Sir Joseph Carruthers, who, by 41 votes io 36, obtained leave .to .submit a motion recording the Council’s protest against holding the present session of Parliament, on the ground that it was unconstitutional, and involves a breach of faith on the part of the Government. Should this motion be carried, as anticipated, it will then be forwarded to the Governor, and will enable him, if he desires, to exercise his power®, and dismiss the Ministry for having given hitfn wrong advice. The Redistribution of Seats Bill, providing for single seat electorates, was introduced in the Legislative Council. The State Cabinet decided to-day to supplement the recently declared basic wage of £4 4s by a child endowment scheme, carrying the payment of 6s weekly for each child. The Child Endowment Bill will be introduced in January. An endowment, will be provided every child where the breadwinner of four in family does not earn more than £650 annually.