PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 29 August 1931, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

THE HOUSE.

FINANCE BILL.

(By Telegraph—Per Piess Association )

WELLINGTON, August 29,

In tlie House of Representatives yesterday, the Finance Bill No. 3 was introduce!! by Governor General’s message.

Mr Forbes explained that the Bill extended for a term the provision in the earlier Finance Act whereby the Highways Fund was required to pay •£316,000 as subsidies to local rates, this amount having previously been paid by the consolidated fund. ■ The petrol tax had been increased from four pence to sixpence to compensate the Highways Funds dor this payment. The Bill now before the House extended the duration of this provision from August 1931 to August le>32. The measure also validated the action of private Savings Banks in falling into line with other lending institutions in reducing •' the interest rates.

The Bill was put through all stages and passed.

LICENSING BILL.

In moving the second reading of the Licensing Poll Postponement Bill, Mr Forbes expressed appreciation of the att’tude taken up by the New Zealand Alliance. He could understand the sacrifice ‘its members were making in setting a-side what had become a duty, extending over a period of years and he realised this was being-,done only because of exceptional circumstances prevailing New; Zealand to-day. ■Mr McCombs protested against what he considered a partial disenfranchisement of the electors. He said many wild statefents had been made regarding the cost of the Poll. Mr McCombs declared the cost to the State would not exceed £12,000, every penny of which would be spent in the Dominion. He moved the second reading should be postponed so that the Government might refer the Bill to the inter-partv Economic 'Committee for consideration and report. Mr Howard second the amendment.

Mr Forbes: said he could not accept the amendment. There was no need .to refer the Bill to the Economic Committee . because the whole House was fully conversant with all the facts. A division was then taken on )Mr McComb’s amendment which, was defeated I 'by 58 to 11. . Division list.—For the amendment:— Burnett, Hogan,. Howard, Jordan, Langstone, McCombs, Martin, Masqn,, Munro, W. 'Nash,. ,* ■ . - Against ’the amendment-Ansell, Armstrong, Atmore, Bftchener, Black, Bodkin, Broadfoot,' Chapman, ClinEard, Coates, Cobbe, Perrelle, Dickie, Donald’ Endean, Field, Forbes, Fraser, Hamilton, Harris, Hawke , Healy, Henare, H. Holland. H. CV. Holland, Jones, Jnll. Kyle, Linklater, Lye, l.ysnar, McDongall, MacMillan, MacPherson, Makitattara, J. N. Massey, Munns, Murdoch, ,1. A. Nash, Ngata, O’Brien,' Parry. Poison, Ransom, •BamuelvSavage, -S«vupie- r ,Smith, StaUwbrthy, Stewart, .Sykes. Taverner, Te Tome, Veitch, Waite, Ward, Wilkinson, Young. Pair For: Wright; against: McDonald. The Bill was then read a second time. When the House went into committee on the Bill the amendment was circulated. Mr Forbes explained'it was intended to make clear the effect of the postponement and provided, a vote should be taken at the second' general election from the present time, yMembers protested against the amendment contending if the life of the present. Parliament were extended for two years, it would be five ye'ars before the next licensing poll were taken, and„,in all eight- years. between the polls. Mr Forbes said both Sides had agreed to the proposal. The amendment was adopted and the Bill was put through the remaining stages and passed. The House rose at 5.25 p.m. till 7.3 C p.m. on Tuesday. -r ■