PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 6 August 1931, Page 4

PARLIAMENT

THE HOUSE. (By Teleyraph—Per Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 6. In the House of Representatives the Reprint of Statutes Bill was put through, tue remaining stages and passed. Defence Annulment Bill enabling territorials to remain in the forces until they were thirty-five instead of twentyifive as at present, was read a second! time. lion Cobbe explained there was:a provision for any territorial to be drafted into the reserve if he wished, on computing three years of efficient service. National Provirhnt Fund Amendment Jim was read a second time. The Leader of the Opposition initiated the Budget debate in the evening outlining his Party’s policy. He said it did not intend to move an amendment hostile to the Budget. It would continue? its efforts to assist rather than hinder the Government. iHe added that it reserved the right to explore all possible, alternatives before acquiescing in the> harsh taxation increases, and advocated a rigorous examination of all possibilities of further departmental economy. He urged the Government to see whether it were possible to reduce the total surcharge on incomes (which under the Budget would amount to thirty percent.) to fifteen of even 20 per cent., and also to leave the jllpome tax exemption at £3OO instead Of’ reducing it to £260 a year. Mr Coates also took exception to the proposal to increase the primage duty. He said it would apply to all non-dutiable goods and in addition to increasing the cost of living it would jnerease the cost of production to meet the position created by the fall in values of our produce in the world markets. It was important not to do anything that'*would increase production costs. .

Hon. Ransom expressed appreciation of the attitude adopted By Mr Coates. He remarked that income tax in New Zealand would still be much lower than in some: other countries. , The House rose at 9.45 p.m.