WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 14 September 1927, Page 1

WELLINGTON TOPICS

INCOME TAXATION

PUSHED THROUGH. (Special to “ Guardian.”) WELLINGTON, Sept. 12. Though it. is lobby gossip that one or two of the members of the Government’n big m'ajoritv required some disciplining during the passage of tho Laud and Income Tax Bill through the House, the measure never was in jeopardy and got its third reading by an overwhelming majority a few minutes before midnight on Friday. In the closing stages of tlic debate Sir John Luke, the member for Wellington North, gave the House a very frank exposition of his conception of party loyalty. He did not like the Bill, lie said, neither as a graduating measure nor as a taxing measure, and ho knew it to lie unpopular with many of his constituents, but being pledged to support the Government as lie was he felt it his duty, right or wrong, to stand liy his party leaders in their trial of strength. Twitted liy Mr A. Harris, the member for Wnitemata. wlio continues to assert his own ‘‘independence,” on his extravagant devotion to party, Sir John retorted that it was only on questions of finance he would subordinate his own views to those of tlio Ministry. That there were several other Reformers who did not see eye to eye with the Government, in this imrticular expres-

sion of policy was plain enough, but they followed the rules of the game as tliev knew them. A SPIRITLESS DEBATE.

On tho whole the debate was disappointing. The Minister of Fiiilince

was the only speaker that seemed to miilenstand the whole purpose and scope of the Bill, anil even he appeared to be more anxious to confound liis critics than to make bis own case good. He met none of the criticism levelled against his proposals, except to say it was all wrong. His .suggestion that a reduction of customs duties next year would more than make amends for increased income taxes this year merely provoked a smile. Sir Joseph Ward wanted to know bow the duties would be adjusted to meet the needs of each taxpayer, and the smile developed into a laugh. Mr Downie

Stewart received little assistance from his colleagues. Tho Prime Minister denied that a reduction of taxation had been a specific plank in Govern-

ment’s election platform. Ho might

have expressed a hope that a reduction of taxation would be possible, but that was as far ns he had committed him-

self. Therefore, he implied, the Government was breaking no pledge ii increasing taxation. The Minister ol Education, in excellent good humour, exchanged mild witticisms with speak-

ers o the other side of the House and ’ gave it ns his considered opinion that one party was as keen as another to lay its hands on all the money it could gather. PROMISE AND POSTPONEMENT That the Government two years ago gave the electors the impression that a reduction of taxation was part of its programme there can be no doubt. During the campaign it was stated 1o the credit of Mr Coates and bis colleagues again and again that they were pledged to strict economy with a ! view to placing the finances of the Dominion on a stable basis and lightening the burdens of the taxpayers. One tiling certain, however, is that, on tho hustings Ministers gave- not tho slightest indication of their intention to increase taxation. In the House on Friday night the Prime Minister, in what was intended to be a denial of any obligation on the part of the Government in this respect, practically admitted that the public had some reason to be surprised at what bad happened. “In 1925 session,” he said: “tho taxation maximum was reduced from 4s Oil to 4s fid. . . No definite promise was made that we would reduce taxation. I want to say now that we hopo to he able to reduce taxation, and, T hope, substantially.” This, of course, was Ihe cheery attitude of Mr Coates and his colleagues during the election campaign two years ago—and, probably, would have been the attitude of any other political party in similar circumstances seeking to prolong its term of office—and now in addition to increasing taxation they have postponed the hope of relief until the session, of Parliament immediately before the next general election. FANNING DTSSEN.SION.

The Legislative Council, which has been compelled by the fruitless proceedings in Hie House to take things easily during the last week or two had the War Disabilities Removal Bill before it on Friday afternoon, and, led on by the Hon A. S. Malcolm and the Hon L .AT. Tsitt. struck out the provision of the measure which sought to remove wartime restrictions imposed on military defaulters by the Act of 1918. This proviso'll had been adopted by the House, which might have expected to hear grudges longer than would the Council, and Sir Francis 801 l made an eloquent appeal for its acceptance by the nominated chamber. He believed, he said, that the majority cf the conscientious objectors were not cowards. Some were earnest people who had declined to serve because of religious and other reasons. He could think of no good reason why the vendetta should ho continued any longer. Surety. Sir Francis concluded with emphasis, the genuine conscientious objector was not to be penalised because of the minority who were really cowards. The precedent- of the ten righteous men was entitled to respect- But the appeal of the leader, who was among the deepest sufferers by the tragedies of the

war. was of no avail, save for the seven other councillors who protested

with their votes. The twenty-four who would have the vendetta con tinned, had their way.