Clearer Picture Of Public Accounts Wanted

Chronicle (Levin), 30 June 1949, Page 5

Clearer Picture Of Public Accounts Wanted

IVELLIXGTOX, .Tune 2.S-. . A remit proposing that the annual pnblie accounts be presented to show all balances, reserves, surpluses, an,d defieits, so that the accounts would be more readily understandable to the people as a whole, was passed vesterdav at' the annual conference of the Xaftional Partv. Speaking to the remit, Mr SXG. Hollniul said it was in. line with the feeiings of the Parliament ary party. Tn pre- | sent cireumstances an entirelv false pie.ture of the finances of the eountry was presented. The methods followed seemed intended to eonfuse the public. A great improvement ' in the presehtation j of the public accounts was necessary. An Otahuhu remit, that it be a recomnp'iidation to the .poliey committee that the extra tax 011 unearned in- j .come be abolished, was carried. SpeakQrs contended that the present scale ] of taxation tended to discourage thrift, j, and restrieted the finance available j . for the bnilding of houses. Privileges of Citizenship A remit from Xorth Shofe, reeommending that speeial emphasis ' be placed on educatifig children in the privileges thev enjoV as British eiti- I zens, and 111 ihe links binding the ! Hominions and Crown eolonies with the IMother Countrv, Was carried. A Wellington Central remit, that the Tenaney Act be amended to exclude saies or transfers of .business, where "goodwill is involved, . from the juris- ' dietion of the Land Saies Coiirt, was referred to the poliey committee for eonsideration. Road Taxation "We are spending too muek money 'in making good roads betfer and not enougli in making bad roads better, ' ' said Mr W. S. Goosman in. speaking to a remit from the. Marsden elee.torate, proposing that a proportion -of the petrol tax collected from countv areas be refunded to the county conncils concerned to assist them in mainfnining roads other than highwavs,, • 0Mr Gnosma.n contended. iMr Tlall.yburton Johnstone (Raglan) , sgid it was. difificult , to ascei'tairi the . exaet state of the Main Highways Aeeount. ATr JNTash had said more was •being spent on tli'e roads than was collected in petrol tax. Mr J. Finlayson, mover of the

remit, said he was satisfied from Mr Goosman's remarks that the Pa'rlia mentary party was aware of counties' difficulties. Ile thcrefore witlidrew "the remit.