THE WAR TAX

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2471, 26 May 1915, Page 5

THE WAR TAX

. AS VIEWED IN TARANAKI. Taranaki farmers, like those elsewhere, are a little concerned in the nature of the war tax, which seems to be inevitable, although thero appears to be unanimity that as farmers generally have had such an abnormally prosperous season, the land should bear its share. First expression of opinion was given by Mr. Okey, M.P., who, in the course of a reply to a welcome, from tho New Zealand Farmers' Taranaki Provincial Conference, said, that there were many matters that would require attention from the people who wero interested during next Parliament, and one of the main measures would bo that of making some provision for the extra ■ expenditure caused through the war. They had people saying that the producers should meet tints. He believed the extra expenditure had already amounted to over two million pounds, and ho thought it would reach to about six million pounds within the next twelve months, which would be about 25 per cent, of the faimers' production. Now, why should the producer bear all the increased expenditure, ho would like to know? He was not one of those in favour of an export duty being imposed, and if it was necessary that their taxes should bo_ inoreased, then it shpuld be on a fair basis, and not thrown wholly upon the producers. Many of the producers, as they were aware, were struggling farmers, _ a good many of whom had to pay high rents, while others, again, were share-milkers. Were these men to be called upon to bear the whole of tho extra burden, while the men owning the land were allowed to go scot free? He hoped 110 such measure as he had referred to would be brought forward, because an export duty would be most unwise. At a later stage of the conference, Mr. Norris, on bohalf of the Eltham Branch, moved: "That this conference is of opinion that in order to distribute the war tax fairly, a percentage increase on the present sources of taxation would meet the case." Mr. Maxwell (a member of the executive) supported the remit, but suggested that the words "land, income, and Customs" be inserted after the word "taxation." Although they might not all agree with the present system of taxation, he said, it was the one used for meeting tho needs of the country, and if circumstances arose which required an increase in the amount to be collected, it seemed to him obvious that the only fair and just way to get that increase was by a larger percentage on the present sources of taxation —land, income, and Customs. The mover and seconder agreed to the suggestion. The president, Mr. A. Hunter, said that a number of wealthy farmers throughout the country had given pretty large contributions to the various funds, although their incomes were no larger than in ordinary years, while on the other hand there were some farmers whose incomes had been enormously increased who had not given liberally. The difficulty in connection with the proposed increase of taxation would be to devise a scheme so as to make the increase bear evenly upon all, .but he was afraid this was practically impossible. Sir. Okey, following up his previous remarks, expressed tho opinion that any increase in the Customs tax should not ho on tho neccssarioa of lifo. The remit as amended was agreed to.