COMMITTEE STAGE

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20892, 25 August 1939, Page 8

COMMITTEE STAGE

FINANCE AND TAX BILLS MONEY URGENTLY REQUIRED MR FRASER ADMITS DIFFICULTIES (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Friday The House met at 11.30 a.m. One day’s leave of absence was granted Mr P. K. Paikea (Northern Maori), on account of urgent public business, and five days’ to Mr E. T. Tirikatene (Southern Maori), on account of sickness in his family. The Lower Glutha River Improvement Amendment Bills, Nos. 11. and 111. (Mr J. A. Roy) were read a first time and referred to the Local Bills Committee. The Alsatian Dog Bill was introduced from the Legislative Council. Mr C. Morgan Williams (Kaiapoi) who is in charge of the measure, intimated that he proposed to ask for the second reading of the Bill on September 6. The Bin was accordingly read a first time and set down for its second reading on that date. Urgency was granted the passing of the Finance Bill and Land and Income Tax (Annual) Bill, and the House immediately went into committee on these measures. Must Have Money In the committee stages of the Finance Bill the of ttye House, the Hon. P. Fraser, said nothing would be gained by the resumption of the Budget debate on the Second Reading, but he did think the position should be clarified. The Government required the money provided for in the Bill and if it did not receive it nothing but disaster faced thousands of families in the country. That would not be allowed to happen. The people of the country would be safeguarded as far as human endeavour could provide, and would not again be subjected to the conditions of the slump years. Mr Fraser said it had to be admitted that certain economic difficulties had arisen, but they were Inevitable in the first stage of restoration of the finances of the country. There was a limit to what could be spent on public works and that was stated in the Budget. The whole reason for the increased loan authority was that it would he disastrous to stop works tnat had been commenced. The problem facing the Government was how to direct employment to productive industries. Taxation Hardship The Hon. J. G. Cobbe (Opposition— Manawatu) said there was no doubt as to what was coming and to a certain extent it had arrived already. This was evidenced by the increased note circulation, lie urged the Government to reconsider the taxation proposals, which he said would create hardship on almost every section of the community. Mr J. Hargest (Opposition—Awarua) said the proposed expenditure for housing and. hydro-electricity would be largely reproductive, but the borrowing of £18,200,000 for public works would not be in the best interests.of employment, since a great deal of the money spent on the purchase of machinery and petrol would go to pay overseas sellers. The debate in committee on the short title was continued by Messrs 11. G. Dickie (Opposition— Patea), J. G. Barclay (Government—Marsden), W. A. Bodkin (Opposition—Otago Central), J. Robertson (Government —Masterton) and W. J. Broadfoot (Opposition—Waitomo) and the House adjourned for lunch at 1 p.m.