PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3, 1 September 1915, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Peb Pjikss Association. Wellington, August 31. In tlie House tin's afternoon, Replying to questions, Ministers said that it would not: lie proper to allow the new duties to be collected on stocks held prior to the recent increase iu tariff; that complaint had been made that whey butter was being exported as factory butter, and the matter was being inquired into; that free passes on railways would he allowed to parents who wished to meet their side and wounded sous who were arriving; that, if desired, a day would be set aside for the discussion of the "ftoyal Commission's report on Trentliam camp: that a precis of the War Pensions Act would be printed in Maori for circulation; that in cases where a parent could not undertake the expense of taking out letters of administration through the Courts the Public Trustee would do so at very slight expense.

DUTY ON OILS. A Regulation of Trade and Commerce Amendment Bill was introduced by Sir Joseph Ward, and was dealt with as a matter of urgency. The Minister explained, on the motion for the second reading, that the Bill was intended to provide that the increased duties should not be claimed upon mineral oils and motor spirits held in the Dominion prior» to' August 26th last.

Drs. Newman and Tliacker, and Messrs C. A. Wilkinson, Witty, Isitt, Anstey, Buick, Webb, Glover, and Kscott spoke in opposition to the tax. Sir Joseph Ward, in reply, pointed out that the Bill was to prevent some people paying the fourpenee per gallon extra on mineral oils that were held at the time the tax was enacted. The principle of the tax could be discussed later.

The motion was carried, the Bill being reported from committee without amendment, read a third time, and passed. , NEW BILLS.

The Destitute Persons Act Amendment Bill, and the National Provident Fund Amendment Bill were introduced and read a first time. The second reading of the Hutt Eoad Bill (No. '->)

was moved by Hon. \V. H. Berries, and after considerable discussion the

motion was carried. Mr C J. Parr said that two leading principles had been followed in passing the Budget—one to put the burden of taxation upon those best able to heatit. the other to save; as much as possible to the small farmers and workers. He suggested thai the tax of fifty per cent, on enemy goods should be increased fourfold. The main revenueptoducing features of the Budget were the land and income tax, customs, railways, post and telegraph, which comprised about 82 per cent, of the new taxation. He favored an increase of the graduated land tax. which did'not hit the small settler or small landowner. He generally approved of increases proposed, but objected to the tax of t'ourpence per gallon on motor spirits, which should he reduced to twopence per gallon. He also advocated the taxation of picture shows, in fact, all places of amusement. He congratulated the Minister of Finance on his courageous attempt to deal with a difficult problem, and thought the country could stand an even larger amount of extra taxation than was proposed, .if

required. The-debate was then adjourned, and the House rose at 9.15 p.m..