PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 15 August 1923, Page 1

PARLIAMENT

[by TELEGRAM —PER TRESS ASSOCIATION.]

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

WELLINGTON August 15. The Legislative Council met yesterday at 2.30 p.m. The Customs Amendment Bill was received from the House and read a first time. The Pensions Bill was read a third time and passed. Sir F. D. Bell moved the second reading of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Bill which was agreed to, after debate. The bill was then put through the remaining stages and passed. The Council rose at. -1.18 p.m.

THE HOUSE. The House was occupied during tlic greater part of a lengthy sitting, considering the Land and Income Tax- Bill which is mainly a consolidating menMtie, but; which contained some, important amendments, the principal of which was the exemption from taxation of income derived from the direct vise or cultivation of land. This was strongly opposed hy the Labour Party who sought to cut out large land owners from the benefit of the exemption. This was defeated by 32 to 30, and tlio Bill was passed with minor amendment*! pmpsetl by the Government. The House yo-m at 5.10 a.m. till 2.30 p.m.

THE SESSION,

WELLINGTON, August 13,

During the week-end Cabinet spent many hours considering measures for submission fo the House before the session ends, Tt is also reported to have given careful thought to a proposal that a certain amount of the Government's programme shall be reserved for attention after tlio date of the Prime Minister’s departure for England. If within tlio next fortnight the House can dispose of the Estimates and financial Bills, together with several other very important policy measures which require the personal attention of Mr Massey, if is felt, by his colleagues that the remainder of the Government’s programme, stripped of points involving paddy 'differences might well he left until after August 28th. thus enabling the most important business to he done without. undue haste. Among matters mentioned as likely to he reserved for attention during the Prime Minister's absence arc Hie Harbours Bill, Public Works Statement and Estimates, the lengthy collection of miscellaneous clauses known as the ‘-Washing-up” Bill, the Native General Empowering Bill of a. similar character, • and several minor Goveminent measures which could he dropped till next session if serious opposition arises. It is thought that sittings lasting a, fortnight after Air Massey’s departuio would enable tlio full sessional programme to he completed without undue haste.