REDUCTION OF DUTIES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1514, 24 July 1905, Page 2

REDUCTION OF DUTIES.

PBEMIEB AND MB MASSEY. The Premier and the Lander of the Opposition indulged in a little sparring on the question of taxation during the debate on Mr Wilford’s proposal to reduce the duties on sugar and tobacco. In the course of the discussion, Mr Massey expressed tiro opinion that if they were going in for changes in the tariff they should, deal with the question, not in a

piecemeal, bat in a thorough and systematic manner. They had, he said, heard a great doai about the record surplus. If that surplus was genuine it was the duty of the Government to reduce the duty on a great many of the necessaries of life. Mr Seddon said that if the duties on sugar and tobacco were removed the surplus would disappear. What would they do then He supposed that if ho proposed an increase in the graduated land tax he would be ruled out of order. Mr Massey: Not if you proposed it.

(Laughter.) Mr Seddon, in the coarse of some further remarks, said that Mr Massey know that he waa quite safe in supporting Mr Wilford’s Bill. Mr Massey : I am not supporting it. Mr Seddon : Ah, now 1 know his position. If the duties'on sugar and tobacco are removed he knows it will mean an increase of the graduated land tax. Mr Massey : I have already stated my opinion on the subject. Mr Seddon : What did you say ? Mr Massey.-: What X said was that if j

the surplus announced is genuine (which I very much doubt) the time has arrived for a reduction in taxation, but it should be done in a comprehensive, and not in a piecemeal fashion. Mr Seddon: Do you mean indirect taxation ■ Mr Massey : I mean Customs taxation. Mr Seddon: Then I was right in my assumption.

Mr Hawkins : Oh, you aro always right. (Laughter.) Mr Seddon: Xam glad you now acknowledge it. (Laughter.) The Premier, in continuing his remarks, said it must be admitted that there was a strong fooling in the country in favor of tho reduction of taxation. • There was, he said, a strong feeling that too much was being paid by the masses, and that sufficient was not being contributed in diroct taxation.

Mr Massey: What do you mean by direct taxation ?

Mr Seddon : The graduated land tax. I am not a prohhet, but I believe that if any chaDge takes place it will be on the lines I have indicated. If the Leader of the Opposition holds these views, and wo both desire to give effect to them, we shall A Member; Go in a for a coalition. (Laughter.)

Mr Seddon : We shall be found going along parallel lines up to a given point—that is, in regard to indirect taxation ; but when it comes to direct taxation the divergence between us will probably be as wide as the poles. Mr Massey : Parallel linos never meet.