JOTTINGS FROM THE LOBBY

Hokitika Guardian, 14 September 1920, Page 1

JOTTINGS FROM THE LOBBY

(Our Parliamentary Correspondent.) NOT TALKATIVE. WELLiNG'T6'N, This Lay. The first Monday 'sitting of the House of Representatives during the present session was held last Eighty and proved brief aiid uneventful. After a few questions without notice had Been asked and answered, the Prime Minister gave members an opportunity to discuss Ministers printed answers to questions, but the House was not in a talkative mood, and did not use the two hours thus placed at its disposal, oven when a Ministe'r made a few remarks by way of example. ■Some papers were laid on the table, but still the House - would not- talk. Then Mr Massey called for reports of committees, but no reports were forthcoming and the House rose before 9 p.in. vr MI NERS - TROUBLES. Mr, Massey told the House tins evening that be knew nothing officially of the. dispute in the northern ‘mines, although lie recognised the progress of the position. Neither miners nor mineowners had approached the Government. Tlie miners who had stopped work appeared to have the idea, that •they were quarrelling with the Railway Department, hut that really was “not the case. The State, Coal miners on the West Coast could not possibly live near tlie mine and thqv had been -given special railway facilities by arrangements between the Mines Department and Railway Department, and at the expense of,the Mines Department, but the Mines Department bad nothing to do with the northern collieries, aiid thfr men there must make their arrangements with their employers. He would be glad to do anything he could to effect a settlement. We are having very, serious difficulties with our coal supplies and'the position in some respects is getting- worse from day to day, said the Prime Minister, He could not see.the end (if the Dominion’s present difficulty, lin'd it was probable would have to suffer a coal shortage for a considerable time to come. The only remedies lie‘could "sec were the development of hydro-electric powers and the increasing of the number of miners, Government was going to leave nothing undone to hasten. tlie development of water power, and he believed that a substantial increase in number of miners employed in tlie coal mines would be made within the next few months. “We cannot allow things to go on much burner as they are doing, “added Mr Massey. • • ,-*■ ■

QUESTION OF TAXATION. TFo questions regarding the Land and Income Tax Amendment Bill were put to the Prime Minister, Mr Massey repeating his assurance that the clauses of fife 'Bill Were not intended to interfere with the free of income tax War loan ’debentures. Mr Malcolm, (Chitlin), said that as Harhoiir Hoards could not be regarded: as ti-acllhg cbiicerhS, and as the-Gov-ernment Shved annually a large sum through the 'exemption of Government steamers fibnl harhoiir dues, he hoped that the Bill ‘was not intended to with-, draw the’exemption from income tax at m-esent 'enjoyed by Harbour Boards. Mr Massey replied - that it was not intended to tax harbour hoards. • If there was any doubt of the point under the c!a Vises of the new Land and Income Tax Bill, I* Would he glad to make the ifite'nt'ibns“of, the Government perfectly clear when the Rill reached the committee stage. WAR BONDS AND TAXES.

Mr Newman (Manawatu), asked if in come tax officers in computing the tax paable to a tax payer who held war Bonds issued free of'income tax, would consider income from these war bonds in the assessment Of the, graduated tux. Me believed that a,n effort was being made ’to depress the'market for these stocks and it was very important that the country should realise that the holders ’M war 'bonds would not suffer, hi any wav \ffideY the n§w taxation. The 'Prime Minister replied that lie had hot heard Of any depression, of the stocks. He had made it perfectly clear to the Land and Tiicome Tax Departmeht, Vo tlie Parliament' Finance Committee aiid to Hie-lhiv draughtsman that'cdniplMe good fair was to be k P ■ by gdvefiimeii't % tar As holders, of free of income bonds were concerned. It more Wins necessary * order to make this clear, he would be glad to do it at‘a later stage of the Bill. Mr Ncwman.-The -question refers .particularly to ‘the graduation of income tax. . Mr Massey.—T Wh speaking of the graduations. I khbw perfectly well what Hie liohoiirfible gentleman refers to. ... ... .. . .