Change in Taxation Incidence

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 3, 27 September 1937, Page 6

Change in Taxation Incidence

Our Own Correspondent.^

BUDGET TO-MORROW Bigger Impost on Higher Incomes?

PARLIAMENT'S WORK

(From

' WELLINGTON, Last Night. The completion of the Address-in-Reply debate in the House of Eepresentatives last week has cleared the way for the more serious business of the session. Although such a debate seldom adds much of value to the deliberations of Parliament, it gives members an opportunity to ventilate their views on a wide range of miscellaneous eubjects of general interest. Thirty-five speakers participated in the debate, which extended over eight sitting days. The Government membera monopolised the diseussion, 18 of their number taking part. Fifteen speeclies wero made from the Opposition benches, and two Independents also spoke. Tbe only other business of any consequence last week was the passage of the Fair Rents Amendment Act, wliich extends for a further 12 montbs tho rent-restriction legislation placed on the Statute Book last year. This measuro was put through all stages on Friday afternoon, following the completion of the Address-in-Reply debate. No senoas opposition was made tO the Bill, although several Opposition members criticised the exclusion of flats from its operation, and also referred to tho adverse effects of such legislation in cnrtailing house-building by private enterprise. The chief event in the House this week will be the present&tion of Labour's second Budget On Tuesday night by the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash. Estimates of departmental expenditure for the current financial year will he tabled at the same time. The financial debate, wliich will be opened on Thursday night by the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton, is. expected to last a fortnigiit at least. With the disposal of this debate, the way will be clear for the, House to deal with the Estimates and with the /Government 's legislativo programme. Although the Government is keeping its taxation proposals a close secret, it is believed the Budget will disclose the intention of the Government to fllter the incidence pf taxation^ so as to increase the rates on higher incomes. No increase is expected in the pTesent scale of taxation payable on lower incomes. A start will be made on Tuesday afternoon with tho Industrial Conciliation and Arbitrationi Amendment Bill. which adjusts the position arising out of the decision of the Court of Appeal' in the clerical workers' ease. The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, stated yesterday that tho House would adjourn after the lntroduction of the financial statement on Tuesdaj night. The Ministerial answers to questions would be circulated and discussed on Wednesday afternoon and the debate on the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill continued in the eveiiing. He was anxious to give members an opportunity "to discuss the report eummarising the proceedings of the recent Imperial Conference and that, debatewould be taken on Thursday afternoon in the event of the Bill being passei beforehand, He did not consider tho Bill warranted a long disCussion, for it simply defined the position that everyone had believed to exist prior to tho recent judgment of the Appeal Court. There would • be ample, said . Mr Savage, to keep members fully oeeupied, after tbe finish of the financial debate. The votes on the Estimates would havo to bo passed and the initial instalment of legislation would also be read for consideration. The measures due for early introduction included thoSe deal* ijjrr with the eStablishment of a national council of recreation and the amalgamation of local bodies.