PARLIAMENT.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 290, 2 September 1915, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

j HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES- ■ WELLINGTON, S-<apt 3. The House of Representatives met; at 2.30 p.m. FINANCIAL STATEMENT DE- .% BATE, Mr McCoombs resumed the debate on the Financial Statement. He complained that only one-third- of taxation as put on the land and income tax. He saw no sign of any attempt to reduce th e cost of living. He adversely criticised the action of the Government over the wheat question which had. resulted in Increasing the price of flour.. He said th e cereal statistics quoted in the Budget- were not correct.. Instead °f a shortage of wheat there was a surplus. He claimed that the embargo ’ on cats should not have been removed until the price in the Dominion had been reduced. He objected to the. tax on kerosene, and said that the increased tax on petrol would hamper industry, while the increase in- the railway was simply an attempt to avoid taxing people who ought to be taxed.. The House adjourned at 5.30

On the House resuming at 7.30, Mr, McCoombs concluded his.address, summarising the figures an the wheat supply. He asse|rted that there was enough, for normal conditions. Flour should; not be more than £O-per ton. Mr Witty said that in 1911 there was nearly a million surplus,while thisyear they had to be content with £72,. 000. If railway men and other obligations wipe met. there would be nothing left. He claimed that the duty of.' Ministers was to see that ail. extravagance be checkod.He Quoted figures show that wheat statistics were unreliable. He was glad to see that the exemption under the income tax was not to be lowered. The land, tax should, be claimed upon town as well as country lands. Extraordinary profits as the result of the war should be fully taxed,. He asserted that the hear tax w'ould. operate in favour of the northern brewers, who manufactured light beersi, against these in the south, where heavier beelrs were in demand. Death duties should be increased. He objected to the proposed duty on kerosene, petrol and spirits. Why tax only the totalisator? Why not picture shows and amusements jg-enerally. He would also tax cigars, champagne, cigarettes, and he favoured a tax on bachelors.