POLITICAL POINTS

Evening Star, Issue 22145, 27 September 1935, Page 3

POLITICAL POINTS

WHY NO TAX CONCESSIONS ? JUSTIFIED BY SURPLUS [Fkou Ouk Farxjame.vtakv Keporteb.] ■ WELLINGTON, September 20. The derailment of a mixed passenger and goods train near Edondale was the subject of a question to the Prime Minister in the House by Mr M‘Dougall, who suggested that the Railway Department should improve the grade and curves at the point of the accident. This, said tho member, could easily bo done. He had seen trains stuck on the grade and split into sections to enable the grade to be climbed. The Prime Minister replied that the cause of the accident was now being made the subject of a special investigation, and in regard to the proposal for improvement of the grade he would refer this tp the Railways Board. * * * * The Minister of Agriculture stated in the House to-day that the mortality among cattle in Southland was receiving the attention of the department’s officers. The information so far obtained indicated that dry weather and severe frosts, by preventing normal growth of feed, constituted at least an important factor in the losses sustained. The department’s officers would do their best to assist the farmers by advising them regarding methods of dealing with the trouble.

’ Surprise was expressed in the House this afternoon by Mr Harris that the Government had not attempted to reduce taxation apart from the unemployment emergency charge. He did not know whether it was wise for the Budget to have been devoid of window dressing. ' The Government was entitled to credit for improved conditions. The outlook had been black, but the country had come through. Last year the Finance Minister had promised taxation reductions, and he believed the present finances could make such reductions possible. Ho did not know of any previous Government that had come through a period with a surplus that had not proposed to reduce taxation. “ I think the Minister of Finance might have been bolder, and have taken the risk of anticipated increases in revenue for the coming ycaf, and have done something to ease the heavy taxation burden which the country cannot carry indefinitely.” *' * * » When the 5 per cent, restoration of public service salaries took place the police participated, hut something was taken from them in another direction, so that they were adversely affected, said Mr Schramm in the financial, debate. Ho expressed the hope that the police would not bo in a similar position with the proposed 7J per cent, restoration. He drew the Government’s attention to the fact that many constables, sergeants, and detectives worked long hours. Speaking generally, the force was overworked. New Zealand had a splendid police force of alert and active men and a detective branch that, considering the Dominion’s distance from the old world, compared favourably with other countries. The policy of working detectives all hours and any hours at all times and any times, and of requiring sergeants risen from the ranks to work long hours was not good. “It is about time more police Avcrc appointed, and that the hours of duty were so framed that detectives, police constables, and sergeants would have some leisure at their disposal.”