WAR TAXES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2819, 10 July 1916, Page 6

WAR TAXES

Inequalities and injustice.

Sir,—lt is indeed good to note by your leading article to-day that yonr journal is determined to try and persuade the Government to deal fairly with firms and producers who have only recently taken up work in the Dominion. To us, who are too old to fight, it is a privilege to be able to help by one's cash, but this tax should apply to all alike, and apply only as the country demanded, to "war profits." But under the present Bill vested interests are protected from war tax, also those who have been slothful and made no progress during the past few years, while those only who have progressed during the past fivo vears are to bear the whole of the burden. For instance, companies who have been making good tegular profits for many years past will pay nothing. Even, if they made ,£15,000 in 1915 they pay nothing provided they made the same in any of the three previous years. Only the unfortunates v ho have started in New Zealand in recent- years pay tnis war tax. A merchant making .£350 prior to the war has to pay 45per cent, of all he made over this in 1915. Under the- Government Bill no distinction is made whether that increase is due to war prolits or to his energy in building up new business for the benefit of the Dominion as well as himself. And the Government actually refuses to provide for any appeal as is allowed in England, even though the demand was for a tax on "war profits," not on enterprise. Surely someone in Parliament or the Vress will make the Government do a fair thing and tax vested interests and new businesses alike. A court of appeal could in a few minutes decide what arc war sroiits and what are not. \nother grave injustice is that the man who works hard-often night and day earning his living by commissions—is liable to tho -io per cent. tax. The man who makes <\u equal amount by Falary with far less anxiety is to escape. It has been suggested that that provision must be extremely handy for. certain new Cabinet Ministers who have drawn a salary of J3IOOO a year since the war. But it i« very unfair ro the man who makes his livin" by earning commissions on the work-done.—l am. etc., EQUALITY 1 .