THE COMING SESSION

Hokitika Guardian, 30 May 1917, Page 4

THE COMING SESSION

Awaited With InterestImportant Issues" involved. (Wellington “Post.”)

The prospects of the coming se_si-n of Pailiament are already being dia •ussed in political circles, and generally the sitting of Parliament is being awaited with more than usual interest. Tbe opening will probably be on June 27 or 28, so as. to enable the parsing of an Imprest Supply B 11 befere the 30th—the last day on which the Government can expend money without special authorisation.

Inquiiiee amcmg members go to show that there ia not 1 kely to be a great deni of pio-pricKiug criticism of the Government*!* administration daring the rectee, except perhaps in repaid to some email detailp. In is the maj >r policy measures of the Government that are being awaited, because these mmt neca.ssarily be connected fer the greater part with tbn twin snbj cts of finance and taxation. Until tbe two leaders arrive from Home nothing definite c.u ba known about the Government's proposals, but, so far as can be gathered, tbe view of the private member is something Ike this—lf the leaders tell members, either publicly nr privately, wbat the position ia what measures they propose to bring do au—in a w r 1 if they lay their cards on the table —there will ba no more than the

usual time spent in passing the necessary leg'slatior. If, on tbe other bacd, they unfold the situation by bringing down piecemeal legislation, and keeping members in the dark as to wbat is to follow, theie will be trouble. Caucus should be more than usually interesting in conse-

quence. Ab to taxation, it is considered by some members that very considerable changes will have to be madp. For instance, the 45 per C6nt ixctss profits tax will not ba in future such a big souice of revenue as it has been in tbe past. Excess profits are dwindling as the taxation and oiber oorts increase, and au adjustment vvi 1 be. required. Also, there will be a determined move to bring about six o'clock closing of hotels. If that move is successful the excise duty must enfinr considerably. AgaiD, there is a possibility of the racing permits being reduced in number. But racing permit? mein totalisator tax, which will be reduced proportionately. Further still, owing to tbe shortage of shipping, there is a strong possibility of a shiinkoge of imports of luxnries on which a heavy

duty is payable, and thus the rev;nuß may be still further reduced. These reductions will have to be made up, and members approached agree in saying that the chief snbj?ct3 for consideration duriug tbe session will be : L quor, racing, taxation.