POLITICAL TIT-BITS.

Waipukurau Press, Volume 11, Issue 39, 12 August 1920, Page 3

POLITICAL TIT-BITS.

HOUSE AND LOBBY GOSSIP. RATES OINTERESFT. “As Minister for Finance, I have been doing everything possible, and intend going on doing it, to keep down the rate of interest to a reasonable point,” declared the Premier in the House. He assured members that if he gave way to numerous requests, in a short time the rate of interest would be up to 8 per cent. This statement was made as the result of a. question by Mr T.. K. Sidey (Dunedin) regarding the difficulties of local bodies and educational authorities who find themselves unable to borrow money within the official limitation of per cent. One educational body had been informed by the bank that the future charge on the overdraft ivould be 6 per cent. Mr Masey expressed the opinion that the Government could not interfere with interest on an overdraft, but it was controlling the general rate of interest R A ROTON GO GRI EVAN CES. Replying to Mr Wilford, Hon. Dr. Pomare said lie did not think it necessary to further inquire into grievances of the white settlers at Rarotonga. An alteration in the law would be made this session giving white settlers representation on rhe Native Council, which he understood Mould remove their principal grievance. MILITARY CENSORSHIP. Replying to Mr Holland, Mr Massey said the military censorship of letters would have to be removed by Statute as it came in by Statute, A Bill to do this was now before the House, FLOUR FOR FIJI. Replying to Mr G. Mitchell, Mr Massey said he had given instructions to send fifty tons of flour to Fiji t«o relieve the shortage there. MAGISTRATE’S COURTS. An amendment to the Magistrate’s Court Act Mas introduced by Governor’s Message. Hon E. I’. Lee said the amendment gave power to appoint a magistrate at the Chatham Islands. LAND AND .INCOME TAX. The annual bill providing for the land and income tax, which has been introduced, docs not provide for any increases. Mr W. A. Veitch regretted that, whilse the pool would have to pay their share of the Customs duties, £6,250,0:ji) the rich were escaping increased taxation. ’The increased Customs taxation would bring Ji £1,000,000 extia.

Messrs C. E. Statham, AY. E. Parry, ami Dr. Newman counselled delay in dealing with the bill, thus giving the House an opportunity of discussing the j Finance Bill with it. I Mr 11. E. Holland urged that it did i not matter how much was taken from a rich man —whit he had left was what counted. He uiged that a man with an income of £650 should not be taxed until the man with £lOOO per annum was taxed down to £O5O. The Bill was read a first time, WAR MEASURES. By the Statutes Repeal and Expiring Loan Amendment and Continuance Bill it is proposed to cut out certain war regulations not now required. It also makes certain provisions concernJng the housing of returned soldiers. • The bill was discussed till 1.30 a.m., 1 when the second reading was agreed to NATIONAL AVAR MEMORIAL. Replying to Air HI. Atmore, Hon Sir 11. Rhodes said the committee appoint ed to report on the sites suitable for the National AVar Memorial had looked at three sites and would report to the main committee on Friday next. The decision then come to would be reported to Cabinet on Saturday. STATE MINE TROUBLE. Replying to Mr 11. Holland, Air Massey said he had already agreed to an adjustment between the Railways and Alines Departments, which should have resulted in a settlement of the trouble at the State Coal Aline. He was convinced that the trouble, which resulted in the stoppage of work at the minemust have been due to some misunderstanding. - BANKING LEGISLATION. Replying to Air T. Al. Milford, Air Alasscy said that when banking legis lation was before the House he would consider' whether some reasonable system could be 'devised by which banks could take care of bearer bonds owned by people who were not customers of the bank.