THE ASSESSMENT OF WAR PROFITS.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2804, 23 June 1916, Page 6

THE ASSESSMENT OF WAR PROFITS.

Sir,—l am glad to see you touch on the proposed method of assessing war profits in your issue of to-day, but there are many other ways in which injustice would be done if the proposed method of assessing became law. All increased output which is due to the enterprise and industry of the producer would lw treated as war profits. Mr. Massey called upon the farmers, and rightly sd, to grow more wheat for the benefit of themselves and Empire. Not being in a wheat-growing district, I don't know what the response was, but I do know that in this district, before any extra profits were expected, the cry was for more butter-tat, wool, mutton, etc., with tho very good result of a much increased output, and this with a very sadly depleted complement of labour, For my own part, since 1912 I have trebled my output of wool, and about doubled my* output of mutton and beef, all of whicfi' extra production would be treated as war-profits under the proposed method ot assessment.

The tanner as a class has already largely contributed in other waya thai .producing- more than formerly. His whole export of meat has been commandeered, also one-third of his oxport of cheese An embargo has been placed on the export of his wool, all of which he has acquiesced with, at the same time doing his bit in subscribing liberally to patriotic and'benevolent funds, producing more, and sending.his sons to. the front, while he himself in some cases has worked two farms, and.milked two herds of cows. To say. nothing of the farmers who have- left their farms to bo worked by others or sold out everything to go to the front themselves. , .',.• / For my own part, I have so objection Ixrtne proposed tax on war profits, but if the proposed method of assessing wore to become law;«I would not have enough jelt to remunerate me for managing my little bit. There are many other ways in. which farmers are sufferers through' the war, that are not felt by other members.of thei community, but lam afraid it 1 were to go into details I would be trespassing too much ou your' valuablo space. In conclusion, I am afraid that the proposed way of assessing war profits is an oversight of the Finance MiuisVs, and I sincoroly hope that things will be straightened u» bfibre it becomes law —I am, etc., •.'■■'■ A. HDGHAN. June 19. 1916. '