ADJUSTING TAXATION

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 54, 26 November 1921, Page 8

ADJUSTING TAXATION

BUSINESS MEN GIVE ASSISTANCE

MR, MASSEY EXPLAINS

A statement that the Government was conferring with, business men regarding taxation matters was mentioned in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon by Mr. 11. E. Holland (Buller). The chambers of commerce, said Mr. 'Holland, had requested that a commission or committee should work with the Government, and at a gathering yi Christchurch a telegram hud been read from Mr. W. S. Bennett, of Messrs. Dalgety and Co., stating that the Prime Minister had authorised tho apiiointmcnt of such a committee. The telegram had. added that it was now open to the chambers f of commerce to suggest tho names of men who should sit on the committee. Mr. Holland asked if this was correct, and if the Government would give a promise that the Labour Party would have similar representation in proportion to its numbers.

The Prime Minister replied that a few daya ago a small deputation of Wellington business men. interviewed him with regard to the present system of taxation, and the possibility of improving it. "I am always glad to receive these deputations,” said Mr. Massey, "because I am able to supply them with information of which they are not in possession. They generally go away satisfied. So it was tn this instance. The suggestion was made that I should allow the head of the Taxation Department and probably the head of the Finance Department to confer with two dr three representatives of the business men on the subjects that we were discussing. I consented, and I quite expect that some good will result from the conference. I have always noticed that when men acquainted with a subject are able to set together, even if they look at it from different points of view, they are able to arrive at some satisfactory conclusions.” I A member: Will the farmers lie repr*j sented?

Mi*. Massey: I have no objection to their being represented. I think they should b?. The fact that farmers have to pay land tax and income tax even when they have no income amounts to a levy ori cnnital. Ot course, as Minister of Finance I have to raise tho money.

Mr. Holland: With respect to tha workers ? Mr. Massey: I think it will lie better to take Labour by itself. Let the farmers also come by themselves. o If the proposal is given/ effect to. if will be just: as I have said, a conference with the heads of Departments.