THE GOVERNMENT BILL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1532, 30 August 1912, Page 6

THE GOVERNMENT BILL.

SEGOND READING CARRIED: MAJORITY OF 16-

GRADUATED LAND TAX.

AN ANIMATED DEBATE IN THE HOUSE.

' ! The first two sitting hours of Parliament yesterday were occupied with discussions on, matters which cropped out Dl' formal business. The bringing forward ■ by, a Petitions Committee of the report upon a complaint' of'tlio Kailway Officers' ■Institute against the recent classification scheme, arid an actuary's report on the scheme, led to a discussion on railway -matters generally. The Minister for Railways said he was'rather anxious to meet • tho Institute" representatives as soon aa possible,-with the object of settling all grievances and - sinking the. men in. the service content, but he acceded to "the wish of the House, that tho report should • .'be referred to the Eailway Committee. The real business of the day camo on when at 1.30 p-.m. the. Hon. James Allen . ; movekl the second reading of the land and Income Assessment Amendment Bill, to increase the graduated land tax, and to. modify, slightly the of tho ' income tax. ''■■'" Sir Joseph Ward followed vMr. Allen, 'and he the Bill generally. He ihad fears, , however, that the too generous opportunity of obtaining tho freehold and the flooding of the market- with land would lead to too much borrowing, a rise in interest rates,, a drop in land values, and perhaps a. slump.' The Prime Minister replied. In effect he assured the House that, the Government were going to hasten land settlement, both by the. purchase of estates end by other means, which he only indicated, to'ssttle land without increasing the indebtedness of tho country. Other" members -who spoke, generally supported. the ■'Billj .hut an. occasional speaker foreshadowed suggested ■ amendments to be made'in Committee. Tho decontinued till tea minutes past one this morning when the Minister for Finance got an opportunity to reply. The House roso at lio a.m. i In , the Legislative Council very early in the afternoon the Hon. J. Rigg's amendment that the Beforni Bill be read six months-hence was defeated by 25 votes'to 6. At about five o'clock a division, was ! taken on' the main question, and tho Bill iva» read second lime by 26 . votes toAB. . . ,