Hokitika Guardian and Evening Star THURSDAY, AUGUST 30th. 1917. THE TAXATION PROPOSALS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 August 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian and Evening Star THURSDAY, AUGUST 30th. 1917. THE TAXATION PROPOSALS.

The Finance Bill now before the country is the complement to the Budget Statement. A general outline of what was to be expected was foreshadowed in the Financial StateI ment, and this is now amplified by the direct details of the taxation proposals. The methods of raising money on this occasion are more definito and direct than some of the previous taxation. .As Sir Joseph Ward has said, lie*did not claim that the taxation he proposed was intended to bo the most scientific ho could devise, but money was seriously wanted, land in raising what was required be bad to fully consider the principles of equality and sacrifice. Oro of the complicated methods of. last year was the excess tax, which it was found worked inequitably and even disappointingly. Now, by direct land and income taxes, with a super-tax for special war purposes based on the land and incomes, we got more direct method of taxation, and if it is not as scientific as some tax theorists would desire, it aims at a fairer equality of sacrifice. The amount to ho raised under these headings is to be measured by the needs of the country, and the prospective taxation to some folk will certainly drive them into investment in the war loan, so that their income from that source, at all events, shall escape taxation. The publication of the proposed taxation at this juncture should certainly help the twelve millions required by Monday to fill all the more rapidly and certainly. Indeed there arc special proposals also for enforcing subscriptions to the war loan, hut the income proposals should in themselves he a lever to that end. The other sources of taxation, such as beer duty, tobaeeo duty and amusement tax are commendable, though the last-named is not likely to bo a great revenue producer on the tornm indicated, particularly after deducting the cost of collecting the tax. There is to be special provisions inserted in the ©ill to assist in the raising of tho war loans, by giving extended power to trustees, savings hanks and tho post offieo. Deferred collections on account of war -loan certificates will ho a great help to small investors, and the desire to help tho country should oncourago habits of thrift which might be continued long afterwards in life. Tho suggestion of tlieso special provisions seems to indicate the urgency there is for tho money for tho war loan being promptly provided, and to bo an appeal of a special nature at this moment to all who possibly can to come forward and subscribe liberally to tho loan. All the money to he raised by tho taxation proposals is not for war purposes of course, for the proposals cover also tho general requirements of tho country’s civil administration. The proposed increase of pensions is acceptable news, and is in keeping with the extra impost put upon the. people by the increased cost of living. Tho increase of five shillings pei’ week is for the aged, for widows, military (other than war pensions) and minors’ complaint pensions. It is a humane step to toko, and the increase will not. he grudged by those who have to co-qnornte in finding this extra pittaneo to the deserving folk entitled to this special help. The Bill provides j also for a largo sum to be raised by i loan for public works. It is fitting that the public works of tho country should . he maintained ns far as labour conditions and supplies will permit. Tho country is expanding and developing 1

on all sides, and it will be better ablo j to meet the demands upon it after the war, when tho burden has to he paid off, if its arteries are far extended, and its transport facilities are in sound j working ordor. Now Zealand is so situated in regard to war conditions that without doing any injustice in regard to tho duty oast upon it by the obligations of the times, that it might well promote a public works policy and continue to opon up and settle the country for the benefit of the soldiers who will return ns for posterity in the future. In connection with tho soldiers additional funds arc to bo raised to meet enlarged settlement proposals, and these also will he endorsed, so that in the widest sense possible as many men as can he, will bo put on the land, and turned into producers after the -war. As some of tho taxation proposals are to have early effect the measure should have marly and speedy treatment in Parliament. The finacial debate has covered most of the ground in relation to the proposals, and it would he hnt tiresome reiteration Tor tho members to debate the measure. The sooner it gets into committee Jho better for each and every proposal to .ho treated on its merits. That will be tho interesting stage, but the passage of the measure is, of course, assured. ‘