PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 October 1922, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

YETERDAY’S SITTING. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. TAXATION AND BORROWING. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Legislative Council met to-day, at 2.30 p.m. The Hon. Sir Thomas Mackenzie introduced the Animals Protection and Game Amendment Bill, the object of which is to further protect native birds. The Bill was read a first time.

The Legislative Amendment Bill and the Dairy Industry Amendment Bill were each read a second time pro forma and referred to committees.

In the course of a debate on the Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Bill, the Hon. Sir E. Mitchelson said that he had been wondering for a considerable time past when the borrowing of the Dominion would come to an end. Next year it would be necessary to further reduce taxation if the Dominion was to prosper, and it was better to have a deficit instead of the present heavy taxation. He regretted the l want of self-denial and the tendency to lean on the State for everything.

The Hon. Sir Thos. Mackenzie said that although taxation should be reduced, the Dominion’s balance sheet must be made to balance.

The Hon. Sir Walter Buchanan said that before the country could be- restored to prosperity the cost of working farms must be reduced. They must reduce the cost of living and practice economy, which had been almost forgotten. The Hon. G. J. Garland maintained that the root of the evil was land speculation. The Hon. W. Earnshaw deprecated pessimism and paid a tribute to the Government for the work it had done. The Government was doing its best under difficult circumstances.

The Hon. Sir Wm. Fraser appealed for faith and courage, and said that there was good ground for hope in the future. The Bill was put through all stages and P£ The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Bill was committed. The Hon. J. B. Gow moved an amendment to provide that Cpunty Councils and Road Boards should be exempted from the provisions of the Act without the neces- f sity of securing a special order from the Coiirt. On a division the amendment was defeated by lu voter? to 11. A proviso added to Clause 12 (which authorises the registration of unions with less than 15 members) was that no union should consist of less than 5 members. The Bill was reported with amendments and passed. The Council adjourned at 5.30 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS.

The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. . . In reply to Mr. L. M. Isitt (Christchurch North), the Hon. E. P. Lee said that agreements made for sales of properties but not completed would not be liable to stamp duty under the Stamp Duties Act, He had obtained several opinions in support of this view. „ _ Replying to Mr. G. Mitchell (Wellington South), Mr. Massey said the question of the erection of a national war memorial had not been under consideration of Cabinet for some time, since the financial stringency became manifest, in fact; but it had not been overlooked. His personal view was that, considering what Parliament Buildings would be when finished, one or two triumphal arches at the entrances to the grounds cQuld be the most fitting memorial that could be erected. The matter would not be lost sight of. In reply to Dr. H. T. Thacker (Christchurch East), the Hon. W. Nosworthy said the establishment of meat and dairy pools would not affect the local prices of products, and local consumers would be amply protected. . . Amendments to the Friendly Societies Act and the State Advances Amendment Bill, and further clauses to the “Washingup” Bill, were introduced by Governor’s message. The Minister of Railways laid on the table a cony of the railways classification 11S An amendment of the Stamp Duties Act was introduced by Governor-Gen-eral’s message. The Minister of Justice explained that the amendment incorporated suggestions made by the Statutes Revision Committee of the Legislative Coun-il. The amendments were agreed to and referred to the Legislative Council. The Minister of .Tustiee gave notice of his intention to introduce the Chattels Transfer Amendment Bill. The Finance Bill was considered it) committee and progress was reported. The Washing-Up Bill was further considered in committee and progress was reported. in answer to Mr. Wilford, Mr. Massey stated he proposed to consult Cabinet to-morrow as to the business still to be brought before Parliament. The House rose at 1.20 a.m. till 2.30 p.m. on Saturday.