PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1923, Page 1

PARLIAMENT

[nr TELEGEArn —i>ee peess association.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. A BILL DROIT'ED. WELLINGTON. August 15. The Legislative Council sat at 2.30 p.m. The* Land and Income fax Bill was read a first- time, and the AYanganul District Harbour and Empowering Amendment Bill was read a second time. Sir F. Bell announced his intention of dropping the Land Transfer Amendment Bill in order that those who are to be affected by it would, between now and next .session, have an opportunity of becoming acquainted with its provisions. The bill was dropped.

The Customs Amendment Bill was put through all the remaining stages and passed. The Savings Bank Amendment Bill was passed with an addition by the Statutes Revision Committee to the effect that half the net profits of the preceding year may he paid over to certain institutions and that any portion of tlie accumulated profits exceeding 10 per cent may be similarly disposed of The Council rose at 4.5 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. to-morrow. THE HOUSE. The House met at 2.30 p.m. The Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act Amendment Bill was introduced by Govertior-GeneriiTs message and read a, first time. The New Zealand University Amendment Bill (Hon. C. J. Parr) was read a .second time and referred to the Education Committee. 'Lite Inspection of .Machinery Amendment Bill (Ron. C. .J. Anderson) was read a second time, pro forma, and referred to the Labour Bills Committee. 'The following Bills passed through all stages:—The Amusements 'Tax Amendment. Public Works Amendment. Native Land Claims Adjustment Amendment, Industrial and Provident Societies Amendment. Rmigitikci Land Drainage Aniciulmciii. Companies Amendment, Death Duties Amendment, Chattels 'Transfer Amendment. and Samoa Amendment. 'The annual Land and Income Tax Bill was brought down by Governor's message and the Premier explained tnal the Bill abolished the remaining 10 per tent, super-land tax. It also reduced income Lax by twenty per cent, all round and increased flic local body and company debenture tax from 2- Cd to I;ill in tile .6.

The House rose, at 10.30 p.m. until 2.30 p.m.

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS.

WELLINGTON. August 15. Among the replies given to-day by .Ministers to questions on the Order Paper, were the following: 'That the position with regard to tlio moratorium is being very closely watched, anil whatever action is deemed necessary, will lie taken in sufficient time to ill-event any hardship to settlers. '.That it is not intended to amend the Shops and Offices Act, prescribing a minimum wage for Asiatics. 'The Act already provides a minimum wage for voting persons, and if any other minima nro desired, the matter may be dealt with by means of application made in tlie usual inanner ol an award or agreement. That instructions have been given tor the suspension of military parades in centres where influenza is prevalent. 'That the Department of Industries ami ('uni is in comiiiiiiiiiation u ai, - >,!i am-hip owner ill Lima, Peru, who wishes to | lace a vessel in Hie direct trade to New Zealand, hull details have been sent to him in re-c-.,ii| ie a return cargo that conlil he supplied lit; in New Zealand. It is slated Hint a large range of commodities i- available lor export to New Zealand from the various republics on the western lium-sl of Smith America, m eluding rice, sugar, cocoa, collet', wines kero em-, benzine nitrates, guano, and ..all, 'Tin- e'-iabli-limoiit ol a direct steamship service between New Zealand and ill • Wc-I Coast of South America should therefor.- result in the dovlopment cf trade between the two countries, provided that the vaimuHumidities are suitable in quality :j n l pru..* for IR.-irkot ro-jiiii of t!v coimlrios ooiu-ornoil.