WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 September 1922, Page 1

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

FINANCE AND TAXATION. THE PRIME MINISTER’S VIEW. SPECIAL TO GUARDIAN. WELLINGTON, Aug. 30. Tho debate on the Budget was not resumed in the House yesterday. Tho Imprest Supply Bill occupied members during the afternoon and the announcement in the evening of the death of the Hon C. A. C. Hardy, a member of the Legislative Council, was followed by. the usual adjournment. The passage of the Imprest Supply Bill gave the Prime Minister an opportunity to inform the House that though "the re. venue for the first four months of the financial year showed a decline of about £450,000, compared witli the revenue for the corresponding period of last year, there was the substantial set-off of a decline of about £1,200,000 in the expenditure. Mr Massey also indicated that in the Land and Income Tax Bill,' which would he introduced later on, there probably would ho amendments in the incidence of taxation along the lines suggested by the Taxation Committee. The Minister could not be drawn further on this subject, but the “Dominion” this morning assumes that his words indicated a readjustment of charges that would Ise of material benefit to the industrial and producing communities. “WORDS, WORDS, WORDS.”

The “Post” in reminding members of the House that Parliament costs the country from £6O to £BO an hour during the session deals very trenchantly with the waste of time that is going on just'now in connection with what by courtesy is called the financial debate. “Mr Massey,” it says, “is presumably ready to go on with the business of the session by this time, and the country would certainly be thankful to see him doing so.” He received much commendation for the excellent suggestion in the Governor-General’s speech that a short session would give members more time for the wooing of their constituents, but his own utiprepa redness, aided by the prolixity of those in Opposition, has so far wasted at least as much time as is normally wasted at the beginning of a session. In the name of consistency, economy and common-sense, the country asks both sides to abandon ‘the dreary drip of dilatory declamation’ nnd to get to business.” Every word of reproach that is expressed or implied in these sentences is deserved. One side of the House is as much to blame as the other, and only those members who refrain from taking part in the debate will have done their duty fully. STILL LOOKING ON.

Sir Joseph AVnrd, whose business brines him into tin; city on most days of tlte week, still is disinclined to discuss his intentions in regard to the approaching general election. “To tel! you the truth,” lie said in the course of a chat yesterday, “I have no political plans for the future. A number of my friends in different constituencies have asked me to contest a seat nnd have assured me of very generous support, but I have found file role of looker-on very interesting and I don’t want to further complicate the position of my old associates in Parliament. But I am feeling wonderfully fit, better than I have felt for twenty years past, and if I were satisfied my services were really wanted I should not consult my own inclinations alone.” The ex-Lilieral lender spoke to much the same effect a month or two ago and apparently he is not particularly anxious to plunge into the party strifo again. His appearance does not belie his feeling of fitness. He looks as well, and is as active nnd alert, as ho. was when acting as Mr Seddon’s first lieutenant, and it certainly is not illhealth that will keep him out of the political arena. VOTE SPLITTING.

Following upon the announcement that the Reform Party will contest every seat at the general election, comes a statement that the Labour Party has between forty and fifty candidates ready to take the field, with a number of others at present held in reserve. The Liberal Party, which for the purpose of the election will embrace tsveral Independents and a number of moderate Labourites, has in view fifty or fifty-five candidates and also a considerable reserve. The Reformers undoubtedly are the liest organised of the parties, their efforts having scarcely relaxed at any time since the last general election ; but even they are threatened with some vote-splitting. The new Country Party in Auckland, unless its terms arc conceded, may detach some support from Mr Massey, and Mr Pearce has re-, appeared in the Patea electorate with a declaration to stand against Mr Dixon, the Reform sitting member. J},ut the indications are that before the fateful day both these perils will pass away and that the Government will find the forces arrayed against it still hopelessly divided. .