AUSTRALIAN WAR PROFITS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3168, 20 August 1917, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN WAR PROFITS

The complex nature of the taxation problems presented by the Federal War Time Profits Bill has resulted in the Federal Government temporarily, withdrawing tho measure from the House of E-epresentatives pending further consideration of it by tho Cabinet and the Ministerial party. Various deputitions have also discussed the. Bill with Ministers, and pastoralists have sought to obtain more specific information regarding definitions. A deputation, stated to represent about 1000 business firms in Sydney, for the most part engaged in businesses which had been developed since the outbreak of war, and consequentl}' having no pre-war standard to go upon—interviewed Mr. Groom (Assistant-Minister), in tlie absence of the Treasurer, aud represented tho difficulties with which they were faced by the provisions of the Bill. Tho Taxation Commissioner (Mr. Ewing), who was present, gave an assurance that many of the anticipated troubles would not arise, and the Minister undertook to place other points raised before the Treasurer.

An effort was made in. the House to ascertain the Government's reasons for temporarily withdrawing tho measure, following as it did a caucus of the Ministerial party, but Mr. Cook replied that it was no unusual course to postpone a measure regarding which there was considerable difference of opinion.