THE COMING SESSION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3122, 28 June 1917, Page 4

THE COMING SESSION

Borrowing and taxation, it is I generally assumed, will be the chief! concern of Ministers and members during the third session of the Nineteenth Parliament of New' Zeakn'd, to'beopened to-day. From the point •of view of the country generally these may be the most vital issues, but we doubt if they will prove themost absorbing topics of general interest. Taxation will certainly be a matter of concern to everyone.' With increasing interest charges on War Loan expenditure to meet, the Minister of. Finance is also faced with the certainty of a reduced revenue from Customs duties, a substantial falling in railway receipts, and tho possibility pf.the shipping shortage seriously affecting the incomes of our primary producers and all associated with the farming industry. In the circumstances Sir Joseph Ward will require to again err on tho side of caution'and make full • provision to secure the revenue he requires. That there will be increased, taxation—heavily increased, in all probability—may bo taken for granted, but, it is not so certain that the Government will havo the courage to increase the 1 number of direct taxpayers. Probably- no country in the world allows higher cxj emption of income than is allowed in New Zealand, where all incomes under £300 per annum are free from income tax.. Most pcoplo recognise that increased taxation and another big War Loan aro inevitable, and in consequence interest and speculation regarding the session's prospects for tho moment centre elsewhere. Six o'clock closing of hotels has been made a burning question, and tho Government will have to face it, however little they may like tho prospect. It is well known -that Cabinet is divided on the subject, though tho majority of • Ministers opposo tho suggested change On the other hand there is said to be ii majority outside the Cabinet who 'favour the earlier closing of hotels as a war measure, and feeling is likely to run high 'on the subject should any attempt be made to evade a straight-out vote. The cost of living as affected by tBo higb

prices ruling for local products is anofchor question which will occupy a prominent pjace in the session's discussions, while various matters al'feoting the- interests of married men and their families which have come to the forefront since it became apparent that tho Second Division men would bo called on to sorvo in the fighting ranks must command attention. Ministers, we will find it necessary to revise their ideas a good deal regarding tho treatment of Second Division men with families to support and obligations to meet. On the whole, the session promises to bo an exceptionally interesting one. Apart from tho larger issues there are a quite unusual number of matters of general interest and concern open to profitable discussion, and judging' from the recess attitude of members it may be confidently expected that there will be a full and free expression of opinion on most, of these.