PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 August 1920, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THE RATE OF INTEREST. By Telegraph,—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Replying to Mr. Sidey, Mr. Massey said the Government had done, and would do, everything possible to keep down the rate of interest. NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL. Replying to Mr. Atrnore, the Hon. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes said, the committee appointed to report on sites suitable for, the National War Memorial had looked at three sites, and would report to the committee ou Friday next, %nd the decision then come to would be reported to Cabinet on Saturday. THREAT TO SUGAR SUPPLY. Replying to Mr. Savage, the Hon. Sir William Herries said he was hopeful that the negotiations between the Colonial Sugar Company and their employees would be so conducted as to avert a strike. STATE COAL STRIKE. Replying to Mr. Holland, Mr. Massey said he had already agreed to an adjustment between the Railways and Mines Departments, which should have resulted in a settlement of the trouble at the State coal mine. He was convinced that the trouble which resulted in a stoppage of work at the mine must be due to some misunderstanding. BANKING- LEGISLATION. Replying to Mr. Wilford, Mr. Massey said that when the banking legislation was before the House he would consider whether uome reasonable system could be devised by which banks could take care of bearer bonds owned by people who were not customers of the bank. Whites at rarotonga. Replying to Mr. Wilford, the Hon. Dr. Pomare said he did not think it would be necessary to further inquire into the grievances of white settlers at Raratonga. An alteration in the law would 'he made this session giving white settlers representation on the Native Council, which, he understood, removed their principal grievance. CENSORSHIP OF LETTERS. \ Replying to Mr. Holland, Mr. Massey said the military censorship of' letters would have to be removed by statute, as it came in by statute. A Bill to do this was now before the House. SYSTEM OF TAXATION. *

DISTRIBUTING THE BURDEN, The Land and Income Tax Bill was introduced by Governor's message. Mr. Massey explained that this Bill was merely the annual Bill fixing the rate of these taxes as from April 1, 1920, There would be no alteration in last year's rate. The Finance Bill, Which would come down later, would not affect anything contained in this Bill. Sir. Veitch contended that the time had arrived when the Government mußt take into consideration a re-adjustment of tho whole incidence of taxation, so that the rich may bear a heavier share of the burden. It was proposed to take £6,250,000 from the people through the Customs, of which the poor have to pay tie greater share. Against this enormous su® the increases in land and income taxes were small indeed. Mr. Parry ..supported this viorv in the interests of the working classes. Mr. Statham said our present "system of taxation was full of anomalies; even the Government would admit that; and he therefore asked the Government to postpone this Bill until the Finance Bill could be 1 considered. They were only proposing to raise an additional £ 22,000 by way of land and income tax, but over £1,000,p00 by way of Customs, and this, he thought, was altogether wrong. Dr. Newman also pleaded for delay. He had a number of amendments before the Public Accounts Committee, which might be considered for the immediate relief of taxpayers. Mr. Holland said our system of taxation should proceed along the lines of taxing heavily the man with a very large income and a large estate, and it should not be levied with so much Tegard to what was taken from the man as to what was left to him. The man with an income of £650 should not be touched until the man with an income of £IO,OOO had. been Brought down to that level. This might appear revolutionary, but it was scientific. After further discussion on similar lines the Bill was read a first time. The discussion on taxation was continued till J 1.5 p.m. HOSPITAL LEGISLATION.

NEW SYSTEM OF SUBSIDIES. The Hospital and Charitable Institution Act Amendment was introduced by Governor's message. Mr. Maßsev said the Bill was not a consolidating measure", but included a large number of amendments found necessary from time to time. . Replying to Mr. McCombs, the Hon. C. J. Parr said it would not be possible to nationalise our system of hospitals, except under an additional expenditure of £500,000. and he was not disposed to go to Cabinet and ask for that sum to do it. The present system of subsidies to local bodies was working out unfairly, and a new schedule would be submited to the House this session. The Bill was read a first time. The measure was referred to the Public Health Committee.

WAR LEGISLATION. THE HOUSING PROBLEM. Mr. Massey moved the second reading of the Statutes Repeal and Expiring Laws Amendment and Continuance Bill. He explained that the Bill repealed certain features of war legislation no longer found necessary, wnile it continued others which could not yet be dispensed with. There was no policy in the Bill, as it dealt with a number of provisions which had no relation to each other. The subjects on which legislation was not repealed were monopoly prevention, rotation of crops on Crown lands, and the housing question. Mr. Sidey maintained that there was a good deal of policy in the Bill. He jkait jUAdai.

which house owners labored owing to the rent limitations put upon them by legislation, which it was intended to continue in connection with housing proposals. Mr. Eraser regretted the intention to alter the definition of "a returned soldier," as it was certain to act detrimentally towards many men who had joined the forces. Parlrament clearly intended that protection should be given every man who joined the forces, and he hoped the House would resist this attempt to take that protection away. No ejections! whatever should be permitted until such time as there were houses for all, provided the rent is palcl and ordinary conditions observed. Mr. Isitt contended that the clause dealing with returned soldiers was not put into the Bill to the detriment of soldiers, but for their benefit, as many long-service soldiers were being kept out of their houses by those who had never been to the front, and who wore only nominally returned soldiers. After one o'clock the discussion was continued by Messrs. Holland, Hudson, Atmore, and McCombs, and the Bill was read a second time. The House rose at 1.30 a.m. ■