INCOME ASSESSMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1535, 3 September 1912, Page 4

INCOME ASSESSMENTS.

POSITION OF INDENT AGENTS. Tho Land and Income Assessment Amendment Act (now past its second reading in the House) was the subject of comment at the meeting of tho council of tho Chamber of Commerce yesterday afternoon.

Mr. T. C. Dawson said thnt the Rill proposed to hold indent agents responsible for tho income assessments ot their principals, and stated that tho proposal to placo a tax of TJ per cent, on all goods was not fair, as some firms did not make that much profit. He had had a lengthy interview with Mr. G. F. C. Campbell on behalf of the indent agents of New Zealand, and practically all he could get four months' notice for indent agente to apprise their principals of the necessity of forwarding (lie money. He hardly thought it was much use of tlw chamber taking the Matter up at all. Mention was made that a letter had bwm received from Mr. Joseph Nnthan about the Bill.

Mv. Leigh limit thought ibo Bill pTepostcrous, and asked how was it possible to hold nn indent agent, working on a small percentage, responsible 'for Ma principals. He thought the chamber should make ft vieorons protest. Jfr. D.iwson said the Rill was unjust, and would affect indent ngonts seriously. Some would hnvo to givo up l>u«hio.<s altogether. ]3ul ho had sesu (be Hon. Mr. Allen, who hnd snid it was quite useless (o protest. Mr. Campbell hod b?on trying to get the Bill through for sis year*.

Sir. A. S. Hiss: "It will be rather interesting if the Home Government retaliates by taxing imr product's." ■ Mr. E. W. Hunt thought a strong protest should bo made.

Mr. "Leigh Hunt propofod Hint every chamber in 'New Zealand should be eircularised on the question, and that they should nominate delegates to a deputation to wait upon the Government. The chairman suggested (hut they should hnvc n special evening lneelinir of tho chamber io disenre that and other questions-holidays, reciprocity with Australia, and Customs regulations. Tt was finally decided to hold the meetins: on. September 10, nnd Hint in (ho ineantimo tlm secretary bo instructed to write to the Minister' nsklns I)ini to delay consideration of tho measure in Committee. '