HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 78, 5 July 1916, Page 7

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House m’er at 2.30 p.m SOLDIERS’ SETTLEMENT. On the motion or the Prime Minister, the amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act, 1916, were agreed to. MILITARY SERVICE BILL. The Military Service Bill, as amended,' was received from the Legislative Council. Mr Allen indicated the nature of the amendments and moved ‘That they he considered next sitting day.—This \yas, ag;i;eejd^ v . ~,j, ~ In 'reply, to a question, the Minister said' ’that where men could justify their absence by documentary evidence, such cases were always given favorable consideration. LAND AND INCOME TAX BILL.

On the motion for the third reading of the Land and Income Tax Bill, Mr Payne took exception to. the exemption of gold mining companies from income tax. He suggested that taxation should be continued, and the proceeds handed over to the workmen injured in following their calling.

Mr Rhodes (Thames) considered the proposal to exempt gold mining companies from income tax was one of ilie most beneficial in the Bill. It was* a timely concession to the industry. ' 'J

Mr Webb contended the exemption would be no assistance to the industry,! and asserted thafc the weakness of the Bill was the absence of an increase in the graduated, land tax, while no attempt was made to deal with the*cost of living. Mr Wilford contended thai there, should have been a provision in the Bill exempting mortgagors from half per cent, interest, in reduction of the amount of interest payable on mortgages owing to the abolition of the mortgage tax. Mr Hindmarsh contended that the large farmers held too much power, and that the present legislation would undo much of the good accomplished by the Liberal Party by their land taxation. He protested against the abolition of the mortgage tax, which, he considered, was a disastrous mistake.

'Sir Joseph Ward twitted Mr Hindmarsh with not joining the National Cabinet when he had the opportunity and so helping the country with his knowledge 1 and experience. The abolition of the mortgage tax meant cheapening the rate of interest. There was no proposal to abolish the land tax.. The graduated land tax had been increased last year by fifty per cent.'. It was the duty of mortgagees to reduce interest by half per cent., and if th'at were not done it would be the duty of Parliament to pass restrictive legislation. It was possible he might yet ask for the taxation of

gold mining companies, and claim the £IO,OOO of taxation per year now proposed to be remitted. He moved the third reading, which was carried on the voices. On the motion to go into Committee of Supply, Mr Wright moved an amendment urging that the erection of the new Parliament Buildings should bo hastened. Mr Witty, who spoke amidst interruptions, strongly protested against the attitude of the Government in supply, and so preventing

members from discussing important public questions. 31 r Witty was interrupted by the dinner adjournment. THE "COST OF LIVING. On the House resuming at 7.30, the discussion of Mr Wright's amendment was continued by Mr (.'. Witty, who denounced the amendment as a prearranged plan on the part of the National Government to burk discussion on questions affecting poor people. Dr. Thacker. complained that by the delay in the erection of the,new Parliamentary buildings, the. heal h of members was being prejudiced, and that while the voice of the mover of the amendment was that of the member for Wellington suburbs the impelling force was provided by the National Government.

Mr Veitch said that during the last few days two undignified motions had been moved by members of the Reform party. He said that if the Government wore prepared to enter into collusion with members in the interests of exploiters, they were as bad as the exploiters themselves. The action perpetrated that evening was undignified, and worthy of the circus ring, and the Standing Orders evidently required amendment.

Air Poole said that the member who had moved the amendment had been used to side track an important discussion, and it was par.icularly unfortunate that the member represented a city which was now being strangled by high rents. If members of the Government were afraid to face the discussion, then the whole position would have to be reconsidered. If they could not insist upon a serious and reliable discussion of important problems for the common good, they were not fit to lie representatives of the people.

Mr Payne described the amendment as a subterfuge to gag members, and it was necessary to teach the Government a lesson that such conduct woidd riot be tolerated without a protest. ' The right of free criticism must be protected, and every member was responsible for protecting the public in the mat er of the cost if living, and for guarding the interests of soldiers and their dependents. Mr Sidey entered a protest against the unfairness in the preference given to the mover of the amendment. Evidently it was done in accordance with an arrangement with the GbyWumen.t. ' , -•'. ■ ~„. - ..■ . ~

Mr'.'Pea roe expressed surprise that Labor members 'should how, ; dema'nd. a discussion on the cost of -Jiving* wbM they "had thai opportunity' on the; Budget,' but missed itj " Mr Wright's amendment was then put; and lost on the voices, and on the 1 question that the House go into Committee of Supply to discuss the estimates of'the Education Department, Mr Wilford upbraided the Premier with refusing him ihe opportunity to discuss the cost of living after he had given him unquestionable support in the House, and loyal help on the platform. Mr" Massey denied that there was any attempt on the. part of the National Government to burk discussion on the cost, of living. Oppor.'unities to discuss members did 'not avail themselves, of ( these, pppor. unities the , Government Was surely not fm W, P ro " misM the, House that a day would be set: apart for the discussion c>f the cost of living, and he intended to move a motion, at an early date, dealing with the question. After the supper adjournment, Mr Webb complained that no opportunity to exhaustively discuss the cost of living had been presented. Dealing with the cost of coal, he said the State mines only worked on an average four and a half days a week, which caused an increase in the cost of production. He urged the difficulty would end if the Government owned suitable colleries. Hie coal mines were hot being worked to the best advantage.

At 10.48 the House went into Committee of Supply on the Estimates.

Class 15, Education £1.407,857, is now under consideration. Mr Anderson moved the item, £1192, administrative division, be reduced by £1 as an indication of the dissatisfaction with the administration of the Otekaike Home.

The motion was rejec'.ed on the voices, and the discussion proceeded on the first item, head office, £14,002, which was passed at 12.50 a.m. The next item, elementary education, £945,501, was passed. A discussion on the vote for secondary and higher education, £IOB,870, was in progress at 1 Wellington. July 5. After the Telegraph Office closed, the votes Industrial Schools £40,981, School Buildings, furniture, sites £118,400, Miscellaneous £7815, Ave.ro also passed. Progress was reported, and the House rose at 2 a.m.