N.S.W. POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 April 1922, Page 5

N.S.W. POLITICS.

THE SUPER INCOME TAX. Cannot be removed. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Sydney, April 27. In the Assembly, Mr. (Jocks, moving the re-imposition of the super-tax, said the deficit between £5,000,000 and £6,000,000 with which the Government was faced, included. £1,600,000 on wheat pools, with a further contingency of £500,000. This loss was the result of a promise of payment of 7s 6d a ■bushel, also of over payments. Replying to a contention that the tax cast an undue burden on the primary producers, he declared that if the .House refused to endorse tire measure the £1,000,000 involved would so hamper the Government that it would be impossible to carry on. Mr. Cocks announced thaj .£6,900,000 of loan money was falling due in London by October. The Dooley Government had been negotiating for the floating of a conversion loan of five millions. The Government had been advised that the money could be secured at 96, but decided that the terms were not sufficiently favorable. Further negotiations were proceeding to secure the same terms as those recently secured by New Zealand. •Sir George Fuller declared that the tax was essential, but hoped this would be the last year that it would be necessary. A futile attempt was made to reduce the tax from 6d to 3d, but after a protracted debate, during which the gag was applied several times, the Bill passed all stages. The trouble over the Members’ Salaries Reduction Bill arose over a proposal to make it retrospective from March 25. After much caustic criticism of the measure generally Sir George Fuller undertook to make it operative from May 1. end take it through all stages at oue sitting. Sydney, .1 28. In the Assembly the Salaries Bill was again amended to date from July 1, except in the case of Ministers, who voluntarily agreed to a reduction of £275 from March 25. Progress was reported near midnight and the Assembly adjourned until Tuesday. The Council passed the super-tax through all stages. SALARIES OF MEMBERS. TROUBLE OVER REDUCTIONS. Received April 28, 7.15 p.m. Sydney, April 28. The Members’ Salaries Bill is not yet out of the wood. Sir George Fuller’s intention was to force it through at one sitting, but he found the feeling was against rushing too strong and he had to consent to holding it over till next week, when the various proposed amendments Will be discussed. The debate disclosed a good deal of caballing amongst the various sections over the Bill and much diversity of opinion as to the scope of the reductions, some favoring as much as £50(1. One of the main weapons used against the Government was that the reduction of Ministerial salaries was disproportionate to that of members. The defence was that at the time salaries were raised members got an increase of 75 pet cent, and Ministers only a 40 per cent, advance, and that Ministers were making the reduction retrospective for themselves. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.