FEDERAL POLITICS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 928, 22 September 1910, Page 5

FEDERAL POLITICS.

DEBATE ON THE LAND TAX. AMENDMENTS DEFEATED. IMPORTANT NEW PROVISIONS By Teleffrauli—Press Association—Copyright. Melbourne, September 21. In the Fedoral House of Representatives the Land Tax Bill debate was continued. Dr. Salmon said the "measure dealt with men, not with land. Mr. Feuton said it was time the wealthy classes ceased their protestations against taking a fair share of taxation. Mr. Deakin moved ■an amendment to the effect that the tax was unjust, and an abuse of the Federal. powers. This was negatived by, 30 votes to 18. % . ; • ' "■' Mr. Johnson's amendment—that the tax should: affect all landowners, and be accompanied by a reduction in taxation on necessaries—was also defeated. The second reading was then carried .on the voices.' The Prime Minister, Mt.'Fisher, has circulated amendments which it is'proposed shall be inserted in the Bill. These, provide that a company in its joint assessment shall not. bo taxed as an absentee, but absentee shareholders shall be separately. assessed. : . Among tho exemptions: are included friendly societies and trade unions. : A .'new , clause states that tho; lessorshall pay tax if- the land is leased .after the commencement of the Act.- If the. lessee', is a bigger landholder, 'he must pay the difference. A man cannot escape the. tax, by taking up a large quantity: of leasehold estate from a'lessor before the Act, as each will pay on the value of his interest on the unimproved value. A lessee, will pay on the valuation of the lease; a lessor on the whole, of. the unimproved value, less the value of the lease. .'■' ''■.',.'.' ,;';''■.; . Crown .lessees will, not pay unless they hold perpetual leases .without ..revaluation, or- are lessees with right of purchase.' A. general clause against contract .and altering the incidence of the tax will be.introduced. ' ! 1 ''■'.'. The tax shall not apply to a mortgagee whose possession began, before July 1,-nor to any mortgagee .within three, years.after going into possession. The, mortgagee will. receive three years" to clear, the property off, but such mort-, gagee is liable, as occupier, in.'the event' of..the. mortgagor's.;default, 'to' pay;;,on that particular portion of the, land at the rate the land would boar.; As soon as tho mortgagee. has foreclosed," the estate is to be aggregated. As the Bill now stands the mortgagee, while in possession, would pay as if he were 1 the owner.. . ' (Beo. September 22, 0.25 a,m.) Melbwrne, September 21. In the House Vof Representatives : the' second reading of the Land Tax Bill was carried ty 31 to 22. borrowing Proposals;; loans called by other-names;. ':'■•'■■ ' (■Eec.': September 21,' 9.20 p'.m:). ;■ Melbourne,".September 21.'.; ' In. the; House of Representatives, the Federal Premier (Mr: Fisher) submitted a resolution authorising the-borrowing.'of '£1,500,000 from 1 , tho.: Trust , Advances Account. ;He .explained that the .money; which'would'be taken temporarily out of. the. proceeds/of ■ the■ Federal" notes' issue, was ;required to'repay.,the States'.balance of their: statutory : .three-fourths" of.'.'■the Customs revenue./ The adoption of the resolution would avoid .tie necessity;of floating a.loan.' : ' : ;•■■■■ ' Tho Opposition members,objected to the Government ;dabbling with the. Notes Fund,.which would' be: setting", a.' bad precedent.; ,''.■',■'■. - .';' Mr. Cook charged /the Government with fencing the question of loans and raising .all sorts : of devices,..and calling; ::them other names than, loans. ' •..,'.!. ■■■ • The resolution was adopted. ;i; •' ■. . Mr. Cook blocbed; a Bill- covering the resolution from going, through; at; one ■.'sitting.'.'",' :\f.'. :.;.::;■"::■ ■■ -...-'. ,-,,' :;''i:\::y