THE FINANCE BILL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 174, 12 April 1918, Page 6

THE FINANCE BILL

Generally speaking,'the Finance Bill introduced in Parliament yesterday calls for little comment. The Bill is something more than a measure dealing with financial matters, for it contains a clause extending the , life of the present Parliament for another twelve months, that is, to December, 1019. Most people will agree that in the circumstances this, is a justifiable, indeed a commendable step. • The financial proposals include authority to raise another loan of twenty millions, and also authorise the Finance Minister to add to his loan funds any money, which may bo available from subscriptions to tho nine and a half-million loan now before the public should the amount now sought be oversubscribed. This is a.proper precaution to take, for the money is certain to be needed in the near future, and it is jusb as well in the circumstances to take it when it-is available. ... The provision regarding compulsory subscripfjons is one which ,will_ bo generally approved in principle, and the penalties fixed, though heavy, arc not too severe. With tho proposed amendment of the law, • however, it is most desirable that tho Board of Appeal which has been given powers of such far-reaching importance should have tho full confidence of the public. The board as constituted at present consists entirely of Government Departmental officials, and though they may. personally command respect and .confidence in the performance of their ordinary duties it seems to us desirable that they should have associated with them some person or persons qualified by experience to act in a judicial capacity. As Mr. Pearce pointed out in the course of the debate last evening, tho decision of this board may mean ruin to anyone brought before it, and there is no appeal., Either ■ there shouldo be a right of appeal to a Judge of the Supreme. Court, preferably sitting in Chambers, or a Magistrate of recognised experience- should be appointed to act with tho board.