POLITICAL POINTS

Evening Star, Issue 22458, 1 October 1936, Page 2

POLITICAL POINTS

BIS CLEARANCE OF ORDER PAPER SMALL TOWN LIBRARIES EXCLUSIVE SPORTS CLUES / [FIIO.II Oull PARLIAMENTARY REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, September .‘ID. In securing me .passage ot buOi the annual taxing mill and n...t;M.i..uus to toe Lana a; income rax Bill during to-day’s sitt.-.g of the House of Kejuxsentatives, tue Government made a remarkable clearance of its order paper, which'is left almost bare, with only one important measure—tho Industrial Efficiency Bill, which will be discussed on its second reading at to-day’s sitting. Two final statements by the Minister of Finance before the amending taxation Bill was passed provided some reassurance to critics. Air Nash declared that if hardship was experienced, as was suggested in connection with tho graduated land tax in particular, and it was found that it would bo unjust to immediately press for (payment, such cases would bo considered with a view to extending relief. In order words, pressure would not be exercised. Air Broadfoot: Take a lien? The Minister, it bo did not concur with this suggestion, also removed apprehensions that the new authority to collect income tax by instalments might cause the department to demand payment of a large proportion before tho usual date. Air Nash said it was not proposed to introduce this system during the current year; therefore income tax in respect to incomes to March 31 would bo asked for in February next, and not before. * # * ♦ Having just returned from an Australian visit, Mr Kyle (Riccarton) utilised part of his time discussing a land and income tax clause in committee of the House to-night, in telling the Minister of Finance how much better the Australian Federal Government is treating the taxpayer, hut a Labour member, Air M'Combs, endeavoured to steer the Oppositionist off that tack by interjecting, ‘ Have you been told who your new leader is yet? ” Laughingly, Mr Kyle replied: "Our new leader has been defeated to-day. We were told people would be proud of him, but unfortunately .”

At this stage the member realised that he was straying, so he assured tho chairman be would get back to tho Bill, and urge the Government to treat the taxpayer gently.

Tho importance of assisting small towns to establish libraries particularly suitable for young people and children was stressed in a question by Mr Hultquist (Bay of Plenty) to the Minister of Education, who gave an assurance that it was the intention of the Government to overhaul the library system of the Dominion and co-ordinate it in such a way that the maximum benefit would be received from the expenditure of the pub’ic and private funds. The supply of literature for schools and colleges will receive special consideration. “ft is fullv realised.” said Mr Fraser, “ that tho majority of schools have at die present time insufficient reading material, and further that such material is too casually selected, and too limited in its circulation to achieve the best results. The sum of £1,200 was placed on the Estimates this year for school and class libraries. This will be distributed among education boards in proportion to school population. The country centres will receive their share of the grant. It is not possible to do anything more this year, but the question will receive careful consideration when the opportunity for a general review of the system arises.

That certain golf clubs are excluding working men from membership, though they are prepared- to pay the high fees demanded, was an allegation in a question by Mr Carr (Timaru), who asked the Minister of Internal Affairs to have the matter investigated with a view to having the concessions allowed certain clubs, or the membership restrictions, removed. The Minister replied that the concessions in respect of land valuation will be applicable to all snorts bodies, not only to golf clubs, so that possibly the same considerations which the member raised in regard to golf clubs also apply in the case of other sports organisations. “ While the Government is not in possession of the details of rights to membership to ad these bodies, it is naturally not desirous,” added the Minister, “ of encouraging class distinctions cither in sport or any other communal activity.”