LOANS & TAXES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 August 1939, Page 6

LOANS & TAXES

DEBATE ON FINANCIAL BILLS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SITS LATE. MEASURES TO BE PUT THROUGH TODAY. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The debate on the second reading of the Finance Bill was continued in the House of Representatives this morning until 2.22 a.m., when the Bill was somewhat unexpectedly read a second time, without any reply from the Act-ing-Leader of the House. Mr P. Fraser, who was momentarily out of the Chamber. The second reading of the Land and Income Tax (Annual) Bill was then formally moved, in Mr Fraser's absence, by the Minister for Railways, Mr D. G. Sullivan, after a few minutes’ debate in the course of which Mr Fraser returned and stated that he would answer various points raised on the Finance Bill in the Committee stage. The Bill was read a second time. Mr Fraser stated that it was hoped to get both Bills through their remaining stages today, so that the Legislative Council could deal with them tonight or tomorrow morning. The House then adjourned at 2.30 a.m. until 11.30 a.m.

The Finance Bill contains borrowing authorities and other clauses giving effect to some of the taxation proposals in the Budget. At Mr Fraser's suggestion, the Finance Bill and the Land and Income Tax (Annual) Bill were discussed simultaneously as many of their provisions were closely related. A motion for urgency on the two Bills was challenged by the Opposition, but was carried by 41 votes to 22. A detailed explanation of the Bills was given by Mr Fraser. He was followed by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr A. Hamilton, who said that taxation had been taken to excess and that borrowing was now being taken to ultra excess. Another Opposition speaker was Mr J. Hargcst (Awarua). He criticised the administration of the railways and said that one could not help feeling that the country today..was in the hands of irresponsible gamblers. His remarks were replied to by the Minister of Railways, Mr Sullivan, who claimed that the Government had donewell for New Zealand. Members of the Opposition, he added, had plenty of gratuitous advice for the workers, but not one word in condemnation of the people who sent their money overseas. TODAY’S SITTING ALSATIAN DOGS BILL. HOUSE IN COMMITTEE ON FINANCE MEASURES. WELLINGTON, This Day. The House of Representatives met at* 11.30 a.m. When the Alsatian Dog Bill was introduced from the Legislative Council. Mr C. M. Williams, who is in charge of the measure, intimated that he proposed to ask for a second reading of thy Bill on September 6. The Bill was accordingly read a first time and set down for reading on that date. Urgency was granted the passing of the Finance Bill and the Land and Income Tax (Annual) Bill and the House immediately went into Committee on these measures. Discussing the short title of the Finance Bill in the Committee, the ActingLeader of the House, Mr P. Fraser, said the whole reason for the increased loan authority provided in the Bill was that it would be disastrous to stop works that had been commenced. A problem facing the Government was how to direct employment to productive industries. The debate was continued by Messrs J. G. Cobbe. J. 1 largest. 11. G. Dickie. J. G. Barclay. J. Robertson and W. J. Broadfoot.

The House adjourned for lunch at 1 p.m.