PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3, 2 September 1915, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSL OF REPRESENTATIVE**

Peu Press As.-ukji.vi

Wellington, September 1. In the House to-day, replying lo questions, Ministers said that since March last New Zealand heel', mutton, and lamb available for export had been sliippcd to the Imperial Government; that the question of extending a continuance of the House ol Representatives to five years will receive the serious consideration of the Government before the term of the present Parliament comes to an end; il necessary, legislation will ho introduced to prevent alien enemies from acquiring land in the Dominion ; that the Government do not propose to introduce a Fair Rent Bill this session; that the question of party politics has not entered into the appointments of members of Land Boards by the last Government, and this policy will also he followed by the National Government; that the Government intends to introduce leg-

islation on the subject of the establishment of a permanent Hoard of Trade and Commerce as soon as practicable; that no reduction in railway freights can he made at the present juncture, and it is inadvisable to add to the expenditure by increasing the pay of railway servants; that a fee of two hundred guineas was paid to the Solicitor-General for drafting the Cook Islands Bill; that until the report of the Royal Commission on the boundaries of Education Board districts had been submitted Sr Cabinet it could not be said when it would bo presented to Parliament. THE BUDGET DEBATE. Mr ,J. McCombs resumed the debate. He complained that only onethird of the taxation had been put on the land and income tax, and he saw no sign of any attempt to reduce the cost of living. Ho adversely criticised the action of the Government over the wheat question, which had resulted in increasing the price of flour. He said that the cereal statistics quoted in the Budget were incorrect; instead of a shortage of wheat there was a surplus. Ho claimed that the embargo on oats should not have been removed until the price in the Dominion had been reduced. He objected to the tax on kerosene, and said the increased tax on petrol would hamper industry, while the increase in the railway charges was simply an attempt to avoid taxing people who ought to be taxed. On the House resuming in the evening, Mr McCombs concluded his address by summarising the figures on the wheat supply. He asserted that there was enough for normal conditions, and flour should not be more than £9 per ton. Mr G. Witty said that in 1911 there was nearly £1,009,000 surplus, while this year they had to be content witli £72,000. If railway men’s and other obligations were met there would be nothing left. He claimed that it was the duty of tbo Ministers to see that all extravagance was checked. He quoted figures to show that tbo wheat statistics were unreliable. He was glad to see that exemption under income tax was not to be lowered. Land tax should be claimed upon town as well as country lands. Extraordinary profits, as a result of the war, should lie fully taxed. He asserted that the beer tax would operate in favor of Northern brewers, who manufactured light beers, and against those in the South, where heavier bcorsi wore in demand. Death duties should oe increased. He objected to tine proposed duty on oils, and why tan only the totalisator? Why not tax picture shows and amusements generally? He would also tax cigars, champagne, and cigarettes, and he favored a tax on bachelors.

Mr C. A, WilkSnson said they would have to face a 'deficiency of threequarters of a million on the current year. Ho fully expected that some bold system of retrenchment would have been proposed. It was a Budget of trivialities, si nd did not show a master mind, Ito affirmed that curtailment of expoi iditure was necessary. Ministers’ salaii cs should be lowered. He affirmed tin it one million pounds per year could Inc saved without much trouble. All Hilaries of civil servants over £3OO in y aluo should lie reduced ten per cent., ‘members salaries should he reduced. ;-and the Governor’s establisj\ment Should be curtailed. He objected to farmers being asked to pay incr.me tax. The beer tax should be !doubled, find the duty on mineral oils Klroppcd. A tax on tea and sugar should he imposed, and the winnings lof racehorse owners should he taxed. ) Mr Ansitey deprecated the suggestion for reduction in wages of civil ! servants. What was wanted was exjpansion of production. He said that I wheat producers had been given 3s 6d (per bushel, while- bread had been sold at tenpencc per loaf. The position of (the wheat market to-day was one of 'complete chaos. If there was surplus jwheat, there was no justification for ithe high prices. Ho favored an injcrease of the land and mortgage tax. , The farmer was as ready as anyone to | pay hia share of war taxation. Mr j Anstey advocated an increase in chariges for press telegrams, and also a, tax on motor tyres, hut not o'Ji cars. He condemned the tax on keroseme and petrol, and did nob agree with the proposal to raise railway rates. He thought death duties might he increased, and also favored increased taxation on totalisator dividends, picture shows and entertainments.

Dr. Thacker enlo'gjsed the services ol Sir Joseph Ward, as Minister of Fmance, and thought that suggestions for alterations im taxation mad'c during the debate might he helpful, i, v additional monies were* required. Ho contended that the 1 ’rentham Commission’s report was I wrong in submitting f-.hat the ontbneak of meningitis was not developed* at oamp.