Parliament

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 55, 25 July 1914, Page 5

Parliament

FRIDAY, JULY 24,

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

AFTERNOON SESSION. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Imprest Supply Bill, No. 2, was put through its third reading. Hon. W. Beeban raised the question of in some way recognising the services of members. He was supported by the Hons. Bell, Samuel, Louisson and Earnshaw. Hon. Hardy continued the debate ripon the Masters and Apprentices Bill. He heartily supported bringing out boys from the Old 'Country for farm labor. The Bill was supported by Hons, Louisson, Samuel, Earnshaw, 'Beehan, Mac Gibbon, Morgan and Fisher.

Hon. Bell, in the course of his reply, said there had been 329 applications for boys, and they were unable to satisfy 23.8 applications. Tlieru was no danger of the boys being over-worked, and so far as the boys already, out here were concerned, die could say that both boys and employers were satisfied. The importation of girls, however, had to he approached with great caution. Young girls brought away from their parents did not do well. It was essential that girls should have a home. The Lady Superintendent of the Immigration Department .had told him only that morning that the importation of these young girls must stop. Tlie second reading was carried, and the Bill referred to the Labor Bilfs Committee.

The Fire Brigade Bill was read a first time and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. The Council rose at 4.45 p.m. i HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. - THURSDAY, JULY 23. EVENING SESSION. Wellington, July 24. After the telegraph office closed tlie Imprest Supply Bill was read a second time. The amount asked for was £976,000. On the second reading, Mr. Russell proceeded to point out that the public service could not have been so disorganised as the Government made out, because no incompetent servants had been discharged, while the salaries of many officers had been raised. Mr. Ell followed in similar strain. The Bill passed the committee stage unamended, and was read a third time at 2.25, when the House rose.

FRIDAY, JULY 24. ■ AFTERNOON SESSION. The House met at 2.30 p.m. ' The following Bills were introduced and read a first time:—Auckland Harbor Board Vesting Bill (Mr. Myers), City of Auckland Empowering Bill (Mr. Myers). Awiikino County Council Empowering Bill (Mr. AViison). Waitara Harbor Board Empowering Bill (Mr. Wilson). LAND AND INCOME TAX.

The House w;ent into committee on the Land and Income Tax Bill.

In reply to Mr. Myers, Mr, Massey said ho would lay on tlic table of the House a return showing the results of subdivision, which showed the most satisfactory results, and would surprise most people. It showed that during the last 'i% years 1,943,703 acres had been subdivided, which meant settlement. Mr. Witty contended that the return showed little else than that land had changed hands.

Mr. Forbes said that what the. House wanted to know was what amount of subdivision had taken place under the Government's legislation, and how many jiew settlers there were.

This view .was endorsed by Mr. Wilford. Mr. Pearee stated that some farms of 100 acres in Taranaki were paying graduated tax. That was most unfair.

Mr. Ell contended, in reply to Mr. Pearee, that the man having the use of £SOOO worth of land was infinitely better off, even if he paid graduated tax, than thousands of workers who paid £7 or £8 rates per year.

The discussion then centred round the question of family subdivision, the Premier contending that this form of subdivision did not evade the graduated tan.

Mr. MeCallnm asked if the Minister considered the time had not arrived when, an increase in the graduated tax should bo made. That was the practical issue before {'■■■' country. Mr. Allen admitted that valuations were, not made all over the Dominion at the same time, and it was impossible to do so. The task was too big. No amendment could be made in the mortgage tax this year, as the problem was a complex one, hut he hoped to do something to remove, apparent injustices before he left office./ EVENING SESSION. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. The debate on the Land and Income Tax Bill was continued by Mr. Atihore, who dwelt upon the necessity for more dose settlement in Hawke's Bay, contrasting it unfavorably with the condition of affairs in Nelson.

Sir Joseph Ward renewed his enquiry as to the cll'ect of tlii' ''stepping" system of assessing hind-tax. Would the Minister tell him what was the difference in the amount paid under the new system as against the old by a man who owned land valued at £6500?

'.Mr. Allen, in reply, said a table had been prepared, which showed anyone ut it glance what the tax was. He had no table for the old system, but lie could say that the effect of lust year's amendment was to slightly decrease the tax on valuations from £SOOO to £OSOO.

Sir Joseph Ward asked the Minister whether he was prepared to repeal the mortgage tax. It had been a plank in the "Picform'' platform, and he wanted to know when the repeal was going to take place. Mr. Allen, in reply, repeated that it was impossible to remove the tax this session.

Mr. Forbes sail? he could remember the time! when the Minister "roasted Sir Joseph Ward like a chop on a gridiron" over this mortgage tax. Now the Minister was the chop, and evidently did not like the roasting process. Mr. Hell argued that the figures proved a reduction in the amount of taxation under the new system, aa against the old. Clause 1 passed at !» (jkiloek. On clause 2, Sir Joseph Ward n uewed the discussion <m the mortgage tax. The Miiister. lie said, who had formerly demanded its repeal, ought to get'i'p and frankly say why he does not repeal it. The Bill passed without amendment.