LOBBY OPINION
' THE AIODEHATES SATISFIED. Members of Parliament who were asked to express opinions on the Budget proposals last night were generally well, pleased with their first impressions, but ILOSt ,of them made the reservation that they were not prepared thus early to giro u considered opinion. . The modcrato' members express general, approval, but the Labourites arid Radicals are not satisfied. No possible' proposals could satisfy both sets of men. The liadical wing members say that they are disappointed that tho;'Government has brought down no scheme for reducing. the cost of. living, by cheapening to the -peoplo those food products which are .exported in. great quantities from the Dominion., They are not satisfied with' the'tax of 45 per cent, on war profits; demanding a levy at a higher rate, even as high as 75 per cent. The moderates, in which classification the majority of members of the House may be included, think the Budget is a good one. They think that 45 per cent, taxation of. war profits is about a fair lovy. The, creation of the reserve at Home gives'them satisfaction, and they accept as a justifiable war expedient the prohibition Or restriction of the investment of New Zealand private capital abroad, although they admit that- as apermanent policy it would ' be indefensible. ' Everybody approves of'the abolition of the mortgage tax, and the assessment of the tax on the -mortgagee in respect of income' derived from the mortgage. As for the income tax, they admit that with the minimum of i'3oo and the exemptions, nobody can bo badly hurt by tho extra impost, especially as it is only for a year.. However, some few contend that tho minimum should .be-reduced, and'that perhaps the rate should be lowered. At any rate they contend that if liquor profits hadbeen drawn upon a little, and if horse-: racing and other amusements had been made to contribute, and if duties had been charged on motor-cars and such expensive luxuries, sufficient money might have been raised .to mako the new charge.on incomes unnecessary, and these taxes would.have!dpne the country economic and social 'good -by reducing extravagance. Some members say with emphasis that the free gift by way of ■war bonus of .£400,000 to Civil Servants can not be'justified. This also might have gone, they urge, to reduce the charge on the taxpayer. ;
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Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2799, 17 June 1916, Page 14
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388LOBBY OPINION Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2799, 17 June 1916, Page 14
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