PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 June 1916, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

1 * o HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WEDNESDAY'S SITTING, By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellingtno, June 21. The Council met at 2.30 p.m., when, on the motion of Hon. B. Moore, the reports of the Lands Committee oiv Papers 5 and 7C, relative to endowments for primary and secondary education, were agreed to. Aii Imprest Supply Bill for £f)SI,COO was passed through all stages, and the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill was passed through committee, without amendment, in its final stages. The Council rose at 2.57 p.ra, LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

TO MEET ON MONDAYS. When the House met, the Prime Minister gave notice to move that on and. after Monday next the House meet at 7.30 p.m. on Mondays. •THE MYERS CASE. The chairman of the M to Z Petitions Committee brought up a report on the petition of John Scott Myers, reconi. mending that an enquiry be held into the allegations made by petitioner.

Mr. Hindiaarsh said that a somewhat similar report wa9 brought down last year, and nothing had been done that was likely to inspire confidence in the minds of the litigants. He would like to see the Government take steps in the matter, now that they had received another report recommending an enquiry. Hon. 1). Buddo,, Messrs Poole, Witty and MeCombs all Urged the Minister of Justice to do something to give effect to the wishes of the committee. Hon. 'Dr. McNab said that in view of the strong representations made by the various speakers, he would look into the matter and see whether he could recommend the Government to do as was suggested. He appreciated the distinction mdae in the petition of this year and that of last year, and on Chat account he would give it his personal attention. EARLY CLOSING OF HOTELS. .In reply to Mr. G. R. Sykes, the iPrime Minister siad that there was no proposal for the early closing of hotels in the War Regulations Bill, but all the same the Government thought it only fair to hold back the Bill until the M to 7, Petitions Committee, which was considering petitions on the subject, had reported on evidence they were taking-. QUESTIONS. Replying to questions, Ministers said that the Government does not consider it necessary to deal by legislation with the suggested curtailment of racing; that every possible • assistance will be given taxpayers in compiling tlieir returns; that the matter of giving railway concession' tickets to men in Awapuni Camp who have week-end leave is under consideration; that the railway tariff is at-present under review, and that-it is hoped to be able to gazette'at an early date certain alterations 'having for their object the adjustment of differential charges which are included in the pre-, sent tariff; the Government considers the acquirement of limestone deposits u matter for co-operative enterprise among the farmers concerned.

DISCHARGED SOLDIERS' SETTLEMENT BILL.

Members continued to discuss the answers given by Ministers to the questions until f) o'eloek, when the amendments made in the 'Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Amendment Bill were agreed to. Then the Bill was read a third time, without debate, and passed. ENFORCING ECONOMY. On a motion that the House go into Committee of Supply, Mr. 6. Witty expressed regret that the Government had done nothing to -encourage economy amongst the people. He commented on the number of motor-ears that were being imported into the Dominion, which, he. said, were cumins; in in thousands. He- also urged the taxation of picture entertainments, _ni:d the reduction,of thfc cost of living. Mr. G. V. Pearce said that main of the proposals in the Budget were not in the interest of the people, especially producers. He explained that he disagreed wiUi several of .the proposals in the Bridget! and ns an amendment moved to pvit members "on side" in'discussing the Financial Statement.

Mr. Pearce, continuing, after the dinner adjournment, said that he was not opposed to taxation 7!*' war profits, but he objected to the system proposed under the Financial Statement. Further, he contended that production had been largely increased. The tax proposed was on the industry of the. farmer. He said that half of the increased amount received for the war was going in additional cost of freight charges, and to the middlemen, and he considered that an export tax would have produced better results. He also asserted that the expenses, of farmers had been largely increased. He himself had had to pay £34 15s per ton for fencing wire, which was previously purchasable for £l3 10s per ton. Grass seed had largely increased in price. lie complimented the Treasurer on the proposal to abolish the mortgage tax. Mr. H. J. Okey said that he was opposed" to an export tax. He thought the Treasurer would have difficulty in obtaining the amount he expected from supposed war profits. He considered that on the cheese which had been commandeered by the Government farmers had lost £300,000, and on the meat £1,000.000. He quoted figures to show that the 'Government had not paid ex* travagant prices, for meat. Farmers would have done much better had they been allowed to sell in open market. He maintained that producers were not making extraordinary profits, as was asserted by some members. He hoped that the Treasurer would devise some means by holding capital in the Dominion, so tliat production might be stimulated. Mr. J. IPayne commented upon the money lying in banks which was not earning interest, and which could be profitably be used. He condemned the banking interests as the biggest octopus in the 'Dominion, one which was sapping the life blood of the producer and the worker alike.

Ho strongly urged inquiry into what l.p referred to as the troopship scandal. He praised administration of the State Fire Office, which showed what might be done with careful management in other departments of the public service. He adversely commented upon the fact that the statement did not attempt to tojsh the problem #f the cost pjf Hying.-

Mr. W. Nos worthy said that the taxation of incomes of farmers was sound in principle, but he thought the time might soon arrive when the whole incidence of taxation would have to be considered. He quoted figures to show that under the present taxation land-owners were doing their full share. He cheerfully accepted a great deal of the Budget, but one blot on it was that there was no sign of taxation upon amuseiv°«.ta. which should be taxed up to the hf