"UNJUST AND UNFAIR"

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 123, 18 February 1920, Page 8

"UNJUST AND UNFAIR"

TAXATION OP GAS COMPANIES. "I have had occasion at morei than cue previous meeting to remark upon ,the unsatisfactory position that gas undertakings qccupy in relation to municipal tracing concerns in tho matter of taxation, but I regret to say that, so far. there seems to be very little prospect of any redress," said Br. C. Prcnder--oast Knight, chairman of directors, at •- the, annual meeting of shareholders of " the Wellington Gas Company, yesterday. "Last year'an attempt was made in Wellington to organiso an association for the better protection of all industries, sub- . iect to tho active competition of municiriar bodies, and this organisation proposed to injludo in its scope all undertakings affected. Tliis cpmpany agreed to support the movement, but little headway has since been, made, and it now looks as, if. gas undertakings will have to fisht their own battles if they are ever going to receive equitable treatment. Tho position is'getting Worse every year. Last year , this company . was taxed and ' rated to the extent of ,£20,000, and I notice from the Auckland company's bal- . Aiice-sheet that its. contribution is up- . wards of *£30,000, and, 110 doubt, the Christchurcli company pays as much as Wellington. Municipal trading concerns all over tho Dominion are thus practically subsidised by tho State to tho extent of ,£70.000 a year by tho principal gas companies. This is botli unjust and . unfair, and at a time when taxation bears so heavily 011 competitive undertakimrs the removal'of this anomaly should receive consideration by Parliament."