FAMILY REBATE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 167, 2 August 1937, Page 6

FAMILY REBATE

Emergency Employment Tax FARMERS* UNION SUGGESTION Ihe opinion that a reduction should be made in the employment emergency taxation in the case of a man with a lamily, as is done with income-tax, was voiced at tlie monthly meeting oi the Hawke's Bay provincial executive of the Farmers' Union in Hastings on .saturday. The discussion arose from a motion trom the union' s Tukituki branch asking "that recommendations be made to the Government for a family allowance to be made in employment emergency taxation," — This motion was carried. "There is'a great need just now for increased population," said Mr H. J. McKeesiek, "yet this tax is a penalty un a man because he has a family. If tlie proposal were carried out there would be a reduction ih revenue, of course, but it would be well worth wliile if it provided only a slight induceinent to ward bigger i'amilies. The man with a family has more things to buy for the house, so he pays taxation over and over again." Mr T. J. Priest recalled that the union had tried to have some system like that now suggested adopted during the depression. It had then been pointed out that, as the methods of collecting income-tax and unemployment tax were different, such a proposal would be difficult. The man with a family was certainly penalised, although he was allowed a bigger wage on sustenance. Mr C. R. Edgecombe said he thought the proposal should be supported. "I am afraid I do not. know ( where to find the familiei! of five or six n mtioned by other speakers, but wo'li Jive in liopeg," he said.