PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 September 1915, Page 8

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. RjypuEs a:o QunsTiom By Telegraph.—Press Association, Wellington, Last Night. In the House this afternoon, Replying to questions, Ministers said tiha.t it would not l)e proper to allow tile new duties to be collected on stocks held prior to the recent increase in tariff; that complaint-had been made that whey butter was being exported as factory tatter, and the matter was being inquired into; that free .passes on railways would be allowed to parents who wished ■to meet their sick and wounded sons who were arriving; that, if desired, a day would be set aside for the discussion of the Royal Commission's report on Trentham camp; that a precis of tlie War Pensions Act would be printed in Maori for circulation; that in cases where a parent could not undertake the expense of taking out letters of administration through the courts the Public Trustee would do so at very slight expense, NEW BILLS. The Destitute Persona Act Amendment tßill, and the National IProvident Fuiul Amendment Bill were introduced and read a first time. The second reading of the Hutt Road Bill (No. 2) was moved by Hon. W. H. Herries, and after considerable discussion the motion was carried. - Mr. C .J. Parr said that two leading prinicples had been followed in passing the Budget—one to put the burden of taxation upon those best able to bear it, the other to save as much as possible to the small farmers and workers. He suggested that the tax of fifty per cent, on enemy goods should be increased fourfold. The main revenue-producing features of the Budget were the land and income tux, customs, railways, post and telegraph, which comprised about 82 per cent, of the new taxation. He favored an increase of the graduated land tax, which did not hit the small settler or small landowner. He generally approved of increases proposed, but objected to the tax of fourpence per gallon on motor spirits, which should be reduced to twopence per gallon. He also advocated the taxation of picture shows, in fact, all places of amusement. } He congratulated the Minister of Finance on his courageous attempt to deal with a difficult problem, and thought the country could stand an even larger amount of extra taxation than was proposed, if required. The debate was then adjourned, and the House rose at 9.15 p.ni.