PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 91, 19 July 1916, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (Per Press Association). Wellington, July 18. The Council met at 2.;!0. Hon. W. Earnshaw moved that the Government take into , consideration | the wisdom of joining wi'.h the Commonwealth Government in the appointment of an industrial Commission o!' Inquiry, representative of manui'ac urers and workers, to visit the United States and report upon the methods of manufacture, production and conditions of employment. He said the present was an opportune time for the discussion of the question with Aus ralia, and this country could not afford to lag behind while Australia was developing commercially. Hon'. J. T. Paul seconded the motion. Hon. Sir F. H. D. Bell remarked that while he hoped New Zealand and Australia Would join in friendly rivalry, he hoped the day would not come v.])on the Dominion would he one ol the States of an Australian Commonwealth. The mo Jon was carried. The Finance Ehll was read a first time, the second reading being fixed for to-morrow. The Council rose at i 2J>5 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 7.30 p.m. The Minister of Public Works moved a resolution appointing a committee to arrange for ihe furnishing of the. new Parliament Buildings. The motion 'was agreed to. The Minister laid oh .the table the Public Works Statement, and intimated that the debate thereon would be taken on Friday next. LAND AND INCOME TAN. Several amendments to the Land and Income Tax Bill were intro.iueod by Governor's message, the al.era-

tions, which are all directed to remedying the technical difficulties in the principal Bill,, being in Clause 2, omitting from the definition of Native land the words "any land which is Native ( la?ul," .and substituting tiie words "Native freehold land." Another amendment provided that in the case of companies engaged in gold miming or seheelite mining, the tax-

able income derived by'that company in any year shall lie deemed to be one-half of the total sum paid as dividends during that year. The Minister moved that the amendment bo agreed to. Mr Wilford took exception to the amendments being considered at once, and ho pointed out objections to several.

Sir Joseph Ward said the clause affecting mining companies had been put in at the request of the companies. As the proposal in the Bill involved a sum of £IO,OOO to the Treasury, he had placed the legislation exactly as it was "before.. Mr Wilford said he did not think objection could be taken to legislation which would compel capitalists to invest their monies in war debentures. He asserted his belief that people would loyally support the wai loan if it were shown that it was re-

quired. MR PAYNE SUSPENDED

Mr Payne was speaking in condemnation of the proposed amendment dealing with income derived by banking companies, when be was reprimanded for using improper language with reference to the Finance Minister. On being called upon to apologise and express regret, be apologised, but absolutely declined to express regret. He was named by the Speaker, and on being given another opportunity to express his regret again declined. " Sir Joseph Ward (in the absence oi Mr Massey), moved that Mr Payne he excluded from the House for the remainder of the sitting. This was carried without debate, and Mr Payne withdrew.

DEBATE RESUMED. In the course of further remarks, Sir Joseph Ward ridiculed the idea that the balances at credit in the banks could bo utilised, as in many cases those sums represented traders' balances, which were in daily

use - 1 i The amendments were agreed to. Sir Joseph Ward said lie did not consider the War Regulations Bill should be pone on with in the absence of the Premier and Minister of Defence, and lie moved that the House adjourn till 2.30 to-morrow.