WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 February 1922, Page 2

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

FINANCE AND TAXATION

CALL FOR BUSINESS OVERHAUL. SPECIAL TO GUARDIAN. WELLINGTON, Feb. 15. Both the “ Dominion ” and the “Evening Post” in their reviews of the work of the session deplore the failure of the Government to appoint a commission of independent experts to overhaul the public finances and the taxation system of the country. “It is much to be regretted,” the “Dominion ” says, “ that Parliament has dispersed without providing for the exhaustive review of the incidence of taxation that can only be made by a competent commission: Such a commission, consisting-of men well versed in the financial business and industrial affairs of tlie Dominion, would be able to throw invaluable light upon some of the most urgent problems of the day, and to assist the Government and Parliament not a little in their still far from complete task of setting the public finances in order. In view of the heavy continuing demands that must be made upon tlie taxpayers of the Dominion, it is extremely inadvisable that an investigation which would pave tlie way for a sound readjustment of taxation, even though this could be only gradually effected, should he delayed.” This from a consistently friendly critic of the Government shows bow strong is the local feeling that the’ Prime Minister should seek the assistance of skilled expert in solving the intricate economic problems by which be is confronted.

AN URGENT NEED. The “ Evening Post ” is specially emphatic in its demand for speedy action on the part of tlie Government. “ The omission to provide for the investigation of the incidence of taxation by an expert Commission entirely independent of Ministerial influence or political colour is,” it declares, after referring, to the postponement of certain legislative measures, “a matter for still deeper regret. In its own interest the Government should go thoroughly into tlie question during the recess. In its retrenchment scheme a good start lias been made with what may be called tlie negative side of public economy ; but the present combination of high taxation and declining revenue is a sufficiently serious matter to demand a much wider extension of tlie work of reform. The local papers are expressing a view held very strongly by financial and business people in this community, who through their proximity to the government and administrative machines euioy very special opportunities for gauging the effect and significance of their operations. Wellington may lay many a flattering unction to its commercial soul, but in the matter of politics it has an intimate knowledge and a close in-si-dit the other renties cannot possess. ECONOMY AND EFFICIENCY. The question of taxation lias been roc. iving very earnest attention from Wellington business men during the last few months, not only as it affects themselves, but also as it affects other sections of tlie community and the general Jfare of the Dominion. Their person-

al attitude towards the Government is i’O of friendly sympathy, but t.h wo :s a growing disposition among them to eschew party politics and to ccnoentu.c upon tlie promotion of national economy and efficiency. They have given tlie Prime Minister to understand that while they warmly appreciate the efforts lie has made in these directions, the' are by no means satisfied by what the various departments have accomplished .Many of them, indeed, are profoundly disappointed and say so without an. reservation, .ni*Massey, of course, idependent upon bis responsible officers for bis facts and figures in connection with finance, and on one or two occasions during the recent session statements were put into his month, which, to say the least of them, were not ii-

laminating. The effect of this lias been to cast further suspicion upon departmental methods and to emphasise the need for an independent investigation. A DESIRE TO HELP. It is in these circumstances the business men of the city, through their various organisations, are asking the Prime Minister to accept their assistance in reviewing the whole system ol taxation. An undertaking of this kin 1 would involve a close examination oi the finances and resources of the country and, consequently, a very considerable expenditure, but the results would he so important and so far-reaching no reasonable time nor cost should be grudged. Mr Massey himself has stated more than once that excessive taxation and the defects of its incidence are stifling enterprise and industry and so adding very materially to the difficulties created by the huge war expenditure. But within the Public Service lie seems to have no one who can advise him with authority as to the means of escape from this extremely grave position. Those outside the Service can offer only speculations and diffident suggestions. But a committee of business men, such as Mr Massey has tentatively promised, with access to all the available information, could not tail to be of enormous assistance to the Government at the present juncture, and b Y its knowledge and experience might expedite by several years the Dominion’s return to normal conditions.

i In a return supplied to Parliament on the motion of the Hon. J. A. Ha-nan particulars are gjven of the amount and nature of unexhausted loan authorities possessed by the Government'as at December Ist, 1921. There are 30 such authorities for 24 different accounts, and the sum of the authorities is £20,444,020. The largest amounts are for the Electric Supply Account, totalling £7,227,420, and the War Expenses Account £4,534,060. When referring to the return in the House of Representatives, the Prime Minister explained that as the authority was given for special purposes, it could not be used for general works. Many of the works for which authority to borrow remained were still in progress. Remember, it’s rubbing wears out clothes! Use “NO-RUBBING” Laundry Help for washing them. Is a packet, all stores, and he«t value.

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