MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 September 1922, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN ANO N.Z. CABLE ABSOOIAtM"BURDEN OF TAXATION. ENTERPRISE HAMPERED. AUCKLAND, Sept. 13. The problem of relieving the burden cl taxation was discussed by the Auckland Provincial Employers’ Association at its annual meeting to-day. The president, Mr Albert Spencer, said tire trend of legislation in tlm past had beeri of feufih a Socialistic tendency that speculative capital, which prCl'eri d to face even unstable conditions as a country like Mexico had to offer, was reluctant to face the penalising taxation which enterprise encountered in New Zealand. He advocated a national progressive land policy under which unoccupied spaces would lie opened up to oversea settlement on terms and conditions calculated to attract the best type of British emigrant. Outside capital and brains should he eheouragCd to assist in building up the country. This could lie done by abolishing the existing system of penalising taxation on a graduated scale and replacing that method of raising revenue by other means. Probably the sales tax which had proved so successful in Canada would prove equally efficacious here. It was the surplus income of companies and individuals which should supply capital for the expansion of industry.* He referred with satisfaction to the report of the Taxation Committee 1 .

Mr J. J. Jaggs, vice-president, said the burden of taxation was such tb’ri it Was almost impossible to make headway at all. Enterprises were paying in dividends. He considered that more attention should be paid to tlio suggestion for a system ol taxation of sales whereby a tax would be imposed on all purchases over a certain value. LIQUOR REFORM IN WEST AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY, Sept. 6.

Liquor reform, in the shape ■of an amende dLicellsilig Bill, is being introduced in West Australia, as the result of a recent commission of enquiry into tlie whole question. The proposal is that every fifth year a poll of assembly electors be held throughout the State for “Yes” or “No” on prohibition. No license shall be carried if there be a three-fifths majority, provided that 30 xier cent of the electors of the State vote for the proposal. A licensing court of throe members will be appointed, with jurisdiction throughout the State __to reduce licenses oil the line' ol the \ ietorian Act. the compensation to be provided by a levy of 2 per cent on tlio purchase price of liquor sold by licensed houses. The Licenses Reduction Board will be limited in its operations to the extent to which the compensation fund is available for a pio--1 ni-ti mate allotment to owners and lessees, licensees and mortgagees of the houses closed.

With respect to the general provisions the sale of liquor to persons under 21 years is prohibited. The sale to bona fide travellers is abolished. Lodgers and bar employees must b registered. Trading hours arc liniito 1 aAroin 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., except on the goldfields, where the hours allowed are 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., which may be extended in special circumstances. Railway ear and restaurant licenses are abolished, except in respect of those conferred under the Railway Act, and these shall be subject to the Licensing Court. Boer shall not exceed 9 per cent and stout 12 per cent of alcoholic strength. Whisky sold must have been three years in wood.