AUSTRALIAN POLITICS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 138, 2 December 1911, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS

FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK. By Cable —Press Association—Copyright. Mel bourne, Dec ember 1. In the House of Representatives Mr. Deakin declared that there was no public demand for a Federal Savings Bank, but it emanated from the theories in favor of nationalisation. The banks of the States would be deprived by it of opportunities of growth. Mr. Fisher said that in his opinion it was an essential part of the Commonwealth banking scheme. The States would not be embarrassed. DOMESTICS AND ARBITRATION. Sydney, December 1. The Assembly decided by 32 to 20 to include domestics oil the schedule of the Arbitration Bill. INCOME TAX BILL. Sydney, December 1. In the Assembly the Government introduced the Income Tax Bill. The proposals provide for the payment by a company of Is 2d in the £ on the income chargeable. By a private person, where the income chargeable does not exceed £7OO, 0 in the £, with the addition of one-third if an absentee, and a further additional one-third on such of the income as is derived from the produce of property. By a person whose income chargeable exceeds £7OO, all over £7OO and undci 1 £I7OO, fid; over £I7OO and under £2700, 8d; over £9700, Is. All carry an additional third for an absentee, and an additional or further additional third for such of the income as is derived from the produce of property. A further exemption of £SO is made for each child under 10 years dependent on the taxpayer. Mr. Wade opposed the Bill, on the ground that taxation was always passed to the small man. The Bill was read a first time. NEW SOUTH WALES PARLIAMENT. A PROGRESSIVE MINISTER. Received 1, 9.45 p.m. Sydney, December 1. The Assembly "referred to the Public Works Committee Mr. Griffiths (Minister of Public Works) alternative schemes for linking the city with North Sydney. The first is a subway under the harbor, costing £1,388,000, the second a bridge at a cost of £1.502.000, and the third a State fcrrv costing £IBO,OOO.

Mr. Griffiths also carried a motion empowering an increase of the output o' the State brick works to a million bricks weekly, at an estimated cost of £38,000.

THE TARIFF BILL. Melbourne. December 1. Altogether. 124 amendments to the tariff are contained in the schedule introduced by Air. Tudor. Nearly half are of a formal character. In order to try to discourage the wearing of natural birds and wings the duty is increased to 30 and 25 per cent, on foreign and British respectively. Flannelette is regarded as highly dangerous, so noninflammable is admitted at 5 per cent, and free on foreign and British respectively, ordinary at 25 per cent. Owing to the increase in the importation of lamp and gas stoves, the duty is increased from 20 to 25 per cent. Gas meters have previously been free, but that was in the interest of the big companies, and it is now 20 and 15 per cent.

Mr. Deakin declared tlwt protectionists would bo disappointed at thorp being no general revision of the tariff. The schedule appeared based on departmental anomalies. They wanted new methods for the protection of industries. Tie hoped that next session the Government would bring the tariff up to date. Mr. Johnston (Oppositionist) wished to dissociate himself from any declaration of approval of the proposal to reopen the tariff question." 1 , The debate was adjourned. Under the revised tariff, aeroplanes are admitted free. Paintings, previously free, are now subject to a duty of "25 per cent., except those by Australian students or for public institutions.