LAND TAXATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 228, 26 September 1929, Page 11

LAND TAXATION.

VITAL DEBATE IN HOUSE. Prime Minister Says Large Owners Must Shoulder Their Responsibilities. EX-FINANCE MINISTER : "THE SAVAGE LIMIT." FARMERS' LEADER WILL NOT SUPPORT BILL. The big issue of . the first working session of the new Parliament was debated on the floor of the House of Representatives yesterday, when the United Governments Land and Income Tax Amendment Bill was called on for its second reading. As anticipated, the Reform party vigorously attacked the measure, but the Labour party supported it, because it aims at bursting up large estates for closer settlement and placing the burden of taxation on those best able to bear it. Some surprise and much gratification on the Reform benches was occasioned by the declaration of Mr. W. J. Poison, the Independent member for Stratford, and president of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, that he could not support the measure, because it would, in his opinion, increase the farmers burdens. The ex-Minister of Finance was extremely critical, and after analysing the bill in characteristic Reform fashion, he condemned it as a confiscatory measure, with nationalisation of land as its purpose. The House rose at 10.30 p.m., without a vote on the second reading having been taken. The debate is being continued to-day.