PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 July 1923, Page 1

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

INCOME TAX I'ROIIAIW.ITIKS.

The amendment of the Land and Income Tax Act introduced by the Government is not the annual taxing measure which fixes rate- of current income tax. This Rill usually conies before Parliament at a late stage of the session, and its appearance is not expected tor another fortnight. Replies by the Prime Minister In requests tor State assistance from a series of deputations on his “deputation dav” showed his concern about the increasing expienditure. "'I he demands made upon me for expenditure are something awful,” lie declared. The general tone ot the Prime .Minister’s financial references Just at present indicates that although he may he depa-nded on to fulfil his Budget promises to reduce the income tax lie is not likely to provide the taxpayer with the pleasure of an unexpiectedly large remission compared with last year’s rates.

‘WHEN 1 HAVE GONE.” If Mr Massey has any keen anxiety to make the journey to London this year lie dissimulates it- well in Parliament, where he pirovided another indication of his feelings, though it might have been jocular. Alter telling a questioner that a Bill dealing with the highly contentious subject of venereal disease had been drafted but that lie did not know when it would be introduced lie added, “T think 1 can leave iln; Gaming Bill, the Licensing Bill, and one or two others for the House to deal with after I have gone. It will be a perfectly satisfactory arrangement.” (Laughter). NOXIOUS WEEDS QUESTION. In (he early hours of Thursday morning a division was taken on clause g ,d the Noxious Weeds Tlill which wits amending the original prrovision that noxious weeds must be prevented from (lowering. The amendment provided for pirevcnt ion of spreading by the rools. Several Canterbury members said that no farmer could prevent the spread of Californian thistle or clayberry by the toots, and a division was taken, but the proposal was retained. A division was also taken on clause L which ptrovided for gorse fences being cut every year. This was also considered by farmers to lie absurd. However, the clause was retained.

FA IB PLAY TO SAMOA. "If you want to clean up the island for Clod’s sake send out the Chinese,” was the strong declaration of Mr Witty at the conclusion of his speech in condemnation of the Samoa Act Amendment Bill in the House. He did not like the measure. It would be unfair to impose penalties on the natives iur permitting rattle to stray when there were no fences in Samoa, and the native.-. were forced to leave their holdings on certain days to collect beetles. If the House was going to give Samoa fair play it must get rid of indentured labour and keep out Chinamen. The Bill made a serious mistake in empowering the Administrator to appoint faipules. The Samoans were a proud people, like our Maoris and they would immediately resent the Administrator picking men as faipules when ho might take a man of inferior rank for elevation to a chief’s position because he might have some persona! dislikes.

OLDER AND WISER. “You did not always sav that,” interjected Mr Sidey when the 'Prime Minister remarked that the under-esti-mating of n surplus or over-estimating of expenditure did not make a fraction of a farthing’s (inference to the actual balance at the end of the year. Mr Mas.-ev countered Mr Sidey's remark by replying, “I get wiser as 1 get ohder.” i Laughter',. A SMTLE*OE approval. A private secretary for the leader ot the Labour Parly was suggested by Mr Sullivan. "1 see the Prime Minister smiling,” he added, after putting forward the proposition. Mr Massey: 1 am smiling with approval. f Laughter). Mr Sullivan said that Mr Holland dealt with an average of 125 to 150 letters weekly, as well as a great deal of other work. The Labour leader was entitled to a sessional secretary in the same way as the loader of the Liberals. Mr Massey said lie had some years’ experience as leader of the Opposition, and had no secretary, hut lie realised that times and conditions bad changed. Tie wa s not tinning down the suggestion. It would he considered if it came along, but it was a matter for the Cabinet. TOO CLOSE TO BE PLEASANT. At tlio conclusion of his address to the conference of Electric Power Boards, the Minister of Public Works alluded to the unusual nature of the present session, adding, amidst laughter. "As Mr Massey has rightly said, it is the most extraordinary Parliament' New Zealand has ever had. Tf is too close to he pleasant.” (Laughter).