DOMINION PARLIAMENT

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18878, 23 February 1933, Page 7

DOMINION PARLIAMENT

SALES TAX BILL. MEABURE PASSED BY HOUSE. AMENDMENTS DEFEATED. (Times Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. After the amendments to the Sales Tax Bill had been adopted, the House in Committee proceeded to deal with the schedule containing the exemptions. Unsuccessful attempts to include fifteen new items in the list of exemptions from the tax were made 'by the Labour Party. Amendments were moved for the inclusion of the following: Biscuits, confectionery, footwear, soap, washing blue, crockery and 'cutlery, baking powder, all New Zealand made goods, tea and coffee, tobaoco, currants and sultanas, ready-made clothing, stove brushes, polishes and enamels, sawn and dressed native timber and dredging machinery'. In all cases the amendments were rejected. The Opposition treated the request by Mr J. A. Lee (Labour —Grey Lynn) to have soap exempted from the tax with certain amount of levity. Mr Lee said the Government had exempted the Bible and he thought soap should be placed directly under the Bible in the schedule, If only for the reason that “cleanliness was next to Godliness,” He would not like to think the Government was converting the country into a community of “great 'Am washed." Mr F. Langstone (Labour —Waimarino), remarked that the diffirence between civilised and uncivilised nations was to be found in the use of soap. The Government w’as going to penalise those people who wanted to keep themselves clean by imposing a tax on cleanliness, one of the major virtues. By taxing soap the Government might be directly responsible for bringing about a serious epidemic and even the Minister bf Finance, Mr Coates might be a victim. (Laughter). The chairman of committees, ‘Mr S. G. Smith: Order. There Is too much levity. The amendment was lost by 40 votes to 24. "Anaemlo Brews.” Concern for women who might have to buy inferior tea was expressed by Mr Lee, who sought to have this commodity exempted. He was considerate for women who would have to place "anaemic brews” before their friends at afternoon tea parties, but his amendment was by a large majority. The exemption of all Maori Industries was advocated by Mr E. R. Tirlkatene (Independent • Southern Maori), who was supported In his plea by several Labour members. It was pointed out that the tax would be extremely difficult to collect and that by granting exemption the Government would be losing little In the way of revenue. Mr Coates replied that Mr Tirlka-

tene had little to fear as there was a

provision to exempt Maori arts and i crafts. f In view of the Minister’s assurance, Mr Tirikatene did not press the amendment. The 'bill was reported to the House from the committee at 12.20 a.m., amid applause from Government members.

On the motion to read the 'bill a third time, Mr 11. E. Holland, Leader of the Opposition, placed on record details of the Labour Party’s attitude to the bill. The bill was read a third time by gl votes to 23 and passed.

ON LOGICAL GROUNDS. COMMUNITY’S HELP APPRECIATED (liy Toleprapa. —ness Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. Replying to the third reading debate on the Sales Tax Bill in the House of Representatives, the Finance Minister, Mr Coates, speaking at one o’clock this morning, said that members of the Opposition had claimed the bill had been rushed through the House, yet 16 hours had been spenton the second reading and 51 $ hours in committee. There had been 571 speeches and 78 divisions. Continuing, Mr Coales said the measure met the need of the moment and he would not attempt to defend it. On logical grounds it was neces- & sary and that was all. One pleasant feature had been the ready way in which the community generally had come along and helped to make the bill as workable as possible. A great deal of patience would still be required and he appealed to the Opposition to assist. He assured them that the Government would welcome any assistance they could give in the administration of a dillloult Bill. The Leader of Hie Opposition, Mr 11. E. Holland: Would you mind saying whether the Prime .Minister’s statement that more business will be transacted by Ordcr-in-Council is the intention or Hie Government? Mr Goales said lie could quite understand Hie Prime ..Minister's statement, in view of Hie manner in which ,1 lie Bill had hern obstructed, if Parliament would not agree lo give the .Government a hand with legislation there would he only one course to follow.

SMALL FARIVIS CILL. COUNCIL AMENDMENTS. (By Telegraph.— Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. When the Legislative Council mot to-<lay. the Hon. .!. A. Hr.r.r.r. (oiagr.) reported that, the Statutes Revision Committee would probably report back (lie Small Farms (Belief of Unemployment) Bill to-morrow. The rommiltee's report would contain certain amendments.

Reduction In Interest Urged. — A request to Hie Government to lake action to obtain a reduction in the interest payments on overseas loans is bc.inc made by I lie Auckland Transport Board, following consideration of a special report prepared by the chairman, Mr .1. .V. G. Allum. concerning the board’s financial position.