NEW LAND TAX BILL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2190, 20 September 1907, Page 3

NEW LAND TAX BILL.

FURTHER DISCUSSED IN THE HOUSE. Press Association. WELLINGTON, Sept. 19. ’ln the House of Representatives after midnight on Wednesday, discussion on the Land Tax Bill ivas continued. . Mr. Ling contended 'that the trend of the Government’s policy appeared to ho .to tax people In the country. He believed in small holdings, and maintained that the Government were blocking settlement by not opening up Crown lands and Native lands. Not only so, l>i/t the Government punished the sotftler by allowing these lands to he overrun" by noxious weeds. Mr. W. su'd .that in closing the door to fraud they should see that no injusVce was done to others. Mr. M-ij >r maintained that with all that 'had been done in the direction of settling the people on the land they were little more advanced than they were 'before the advent of Christ. He deprecated the ballot system as being merely a gamble. He urged that banks and money-lendme institutions should be taxed. It would be wise if the Government placed a tax of £IOO,OOO per annum on each of the foreign banks doing business in iN.Z. After the Premier bad replied, the motion to go (into Committee was agreed to by 47 to 5. Clause 1 was agreed to, and progress was reported, and the House adjourned at 1.20 a.m.