POLITICAL NOTES

Hokitika Guardian, 3 December 1918, Page 3

POLITICAL NOTES

parliamentary pean UT STALLS.

“AVo want an assurance from the Minister for Public Works that the .peanut stalls proposed as desks lor members shall not, be installed in he House,’’ declared Dr Thacker, M.P., | in the House of Representatives vesi terday, amid applause and laughter. “They are the sort of thing you would see on Fifth Avenue, New York, with ' an Italian and a monkey in attendance.” (bond laughter.) THE TWO SUNS. i “Aon can’t have two suns shining at the same time,” said Sir Joseph , AVard in the House of Representatives ■ yesterday, referring to the relative ! powers of the Minister for Public AVorks j and the Furnishing Committee of the House. Dr Thacker: “What about the two Ministers going Home then?’ ! (Laughter.) Sir Joseph AVard : I suggest that the hon. member is getting into I a sphere beyond his depth.’ (Latigh--1 ter.) I LAWYERS and taxes. I yir G. AA r . Forbes, AI.P. for Hurunui. complained, on tile hand and Inj come Tax Department vote in the House of Representatives that- farmers and other Income tax payers frequently complained that they had to pay more income tax than their neighbours who were much hotter off. The whole system was so complex that it took a lawyer to understand it; am it, was found that if a man consulted a lawyer on the matter his income tax would be only half that of his neigh born- with the same income. So it

came to this; that they must call m a lawyer to show them how to escape taxation, or, at all events, have their taxes fixed. (Laughter.) The Hon. 1 M. Wilford: To tell them what they are legally liable to pay. (Laughter). ONE Till IA AND MANY MOSQUITOS. Huias i mosquitos, and cave wonders were among the subjects discussed last evening. Some members were ouriom ias to why £IOO was provided o n tin Estimates for the investigation of mos . quitos in New Zealand. The Min ister replied that the Government wni j on the trail of the little pest and tin j money was provided to allow an ex ! pert to wage war when the opportu nity came. The search for the huh had proved, unavailing, but, added th Minister amid laughter: “When it i ) found it will be placed oil the Kapit Island sanctuary.’’

• POLICE OVERTIME. | On the Police Department vote. 1 £279,000, Dr Timelier regretted that--1 no charge had been put down for the - extra time devoted by police officers to taking down shorthand notes at public meetings, with a view to prosecutions for sedition—(laughter)—nor for l the overtime worked by tlie police attending by-oleotions meetings. (Lauglii t-er.) They had donp a great deal of ! such work in connection with the Wellington North bye-election. (Laughter.; Tlie work was no .sinecure; and it was* only fair and decent that they .should ! get additional remuneration for their | efforts. (Laughter.) I Mr Wilford said that- tlie men no doubt would appreciate Dr Thacker’s j intervention: but- lie was afraid he I could not help them. ! Air Veiteli: The Atinister believes in , i payment by results. (Laughter).