§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Guinness)I beg to move, in page 12, line 30, after the word "whatsoever," to insert the words "on the ground that it is."
This Clause repeals the exemption from Stamp Duty which is conferred in various statutes in the case of transactions with the Commissioners of Crown lands. As provided here, it goes too far, because there are enactments conferring general exemption from Stamp Duty in such classes of documents as transfers of Government stock, and as the Clause stands, it would make these transactions which, in the ordinary wan, by whomsoever they may be made, are exempt from Stamp Duty, specially liable in the case of transactions with the Commissioners of Crown lands. To prevent this, which is entirely undesirable, I move this Amendment. It is only intended to refer to the exemption which attaches merely to transaction with the Commissioners of Crown lands, and it leaves untouched any general exemption which is enjoyed by all classes of property.
§ Mr. ERNEST BROWNI wish to ask whether there is anything retrospective in this Clause. The Amendment does not make it retrospective in any way?
§ Mr. GUINNESSNo.
§ Clause, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.