PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 5, 4 September 1915, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. t2,H Phes* Association. Wellington, September 3, in the House to-day the Georgetti Trust Estate Bill was read a third time and passed. The Military Manoeuvres Bill, Land Transfer Act ConiIpilatioD Bill, and Fruit Preserving Industry Amendmonl Bill were iutro'duced by Governor's Message and iread a first time.

THE BUDGET DEBATE. In the evening, tho debate on the Budget was continued by Mr J. B. Mine, who said that it was strange, in view of the expense caused by the war. that no attempt was made to taper off expenditure, 'there were many departments in which economy could be practised. The figures for the current year showed considerable increases in expenditure, and he thought there should be reduction in expenditure on public works, particularly in buildings. He was astonished to "find that a contract had been let, at £30.000, for a new police station at Wellington. Ho favored an export tax during the war, and he objected to a tax on mineral oils. He considered the beer duty proposed insufficient. He hoped the National Government would be the forerunner of an elective executive.

Mr Veitch referred to the fact that Ministers were not taking part in the debate, but hoped Ihey would take the House into their confidence. He said that for a long while the producers had had a good time, and now members suggested that economies should be practised in the public service. There would be unemployment if public works were stopped. He considered the beer tax should have been doubled years ago. Brewers would make light rubbishy been; and ■so escape the increase. He was prepared to support the Government in everything they proposed .for the good of the Dominion and the Empire. Mr T. K. Sidey said he could not agree with those who condemned the proposal to borrow two millions m tho Dominion. . The Government, no doubt', had carefully considered tho matter before coming to a. decision. It was apparent that the new taxation had been suggested in a spirit of conciliation and compromise, also that heads of departments had been consulted. He objected to an export tax, for the reason that values might fall and lower the demand for poor land. The increase in- the land tax. on the other hand, caught farmers while prices were good, but would not oppress them when prices fell. Mr Hudson said that evidently the Budget had been carefully compiled, with a view of putting the 1 burden on 1 those best able to bear it. (Whatever that burden was, he was confident it would be cheerfully borne by those concerned. He objected to the fax on petrol, but thought the tax on cars might be increased. -He considered the Budget represented ;i fair and honest effort to meet the difficulties of the position. Mr Veitch suggested that one of the railway workshops should be set apart for making munitions, especially ma-chine-guns. . Both men and material were available. He objected to the proposal to stop public works to make labor available for farmers unless conditions as to remuneration were arranged. National registration was a good proposal. He complained that no attempt had been made to take advantage of the report made in 1912 by the commission that inquired into the cost of living. He congratulated the country on tho formation of a National Cabinet.

Mr G. V. Pearce said lie did not object to rich landowners being taxed. but hi.s objection was to the incidence of taxation, which was unfair. He preferred a half-penny increase of the land tax, which would give £15,0,000. He was not satisfied that the increase in the tax would prove satisfafctoiy, as it would enable, shirkers to get off lightly ag a.gainst the men who made honest returns. The House rose at midnight.