THE SESSION.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 November 1921, Page 5

THE SESSION.

FINANCIAL DEBATE THIS WEEK. , THE TARIFF PROPOSALS. The debate on the Financial Statement is to be opened in the House of Representatives to-morrow . evening. Thia debate seems bound to occupy the rest of the week, as very many member? of the House will wish to have something to say about the financial position of the Dominion and the tariff proposals. The details of the Government’s proposals for retrenchment and for the readjustment of taxation have not been revealed in the Budget, and they will require to be discussed when the Bills dealing with these matters are before the House. But the financial ’ debate will provide opportunity for expression of opinion on the new tariff, and it should throw some interesting light on the attitude of the House towards the amended schedule of Customs duties. TJIE TARIFF BILL.

Some of the critics of the tariff proposals have stated that no provision has been made for the prevention of “dumping”, and that no attempt has been made to place New Zealand in a position to negotiate with Australia. It has been a sore, point with New Zealand manufacturers for some time past that their Australian competitors have been able to use the Dominion market while enjoying very complete protection in the Australian market. These points, as a matter of fact, are to be dealt with in the Tariff Bill which will be placed before the House of Representatives after the schedules have been approved. It is stated that there will be ample provision in the Bill to enable New Zealand to negotiate with Australia on a satisfactory basis. SOME FLAGS. Some interesting flags are mentioned in .the estimates of the Internal Affairs Department. The explanatory- notes attached to the item for. “contingencies” contain the following items: New Zealand flag for Amiens Cathedral, £5; New Zealand flag for H.M. Legation, Pekin, £2 15s; New Zealand flag for Agricultural and Horticultural School for Belgian war orphans, £2 15s; New Zealand flag for Assembly of League of Nations, Geneva, £2 15s; engraved brass plate with inscription for New Zealand flag presented to the City of Amiens, £1 ss. THE PRICE OF PETROL. The price of petrol has been mentioned several times in the House of Representatives this session, and the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Wilford) has stated that he is able to import petrol at a landed cost of about 22s a 'case, as against the current local price of 29s a case. The Defence Department, apparently, can do better still. A vote of £2900 appears oh the Estimates for the purchase of 60,000 gallons of petrol, imported by the Department and made available for sale to private aviation companies. This price works out at something under £1 a case. MEMBERS’ QUESTION'S. Mr. A. D. McLeod (Wairarapa) has placed on. the order paper a question as to whether the Government will bring down legislation at once to extinguish proprietary racing clubs. Sir John Luke has asked if the Minister of Industries and Commerce will instruct the Board of Trade to report on the selling price of petrol in the main centres, stating the brand in each case and the country of origin. Mr. T. M. Wilford (Hutt) has asked if the Government will allow men who have seen active service during the war on transports and hospital ships to benefit under the returned soldiers' land settlement scheme.