TAX COMMISSION.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 April 1924, Page 1

TAX COMMISSION.

I)EFENCE OF-' PERSONNEL. [by telegraph—per press association. INVERCARGILL, April 8. Speaking at a luncheon tendered him in Invercargill to-day, Mr Massey referred further to tlie Taxation Commission. There had been a good deal of dissatisfaction expressed over the taxation, said AJr Massey. Farmers and business men said they were severely taxed, and lie would admit they were, lie went on to deal with the appointment of the taxation Commission, which, he said, he had announced at Winton the previous evening. Hon J. A. Herman: “I hope it will he open to the Press.” Air Massey: “Quite right. It will he open to the Press, and ought to

His policy, he declared, was that every man in the community should pay taxes in proportion to his ability io pay. AVith regard to the personnel of the Commission, they were not selected because they were business men only, hut also because ilioy were acquainted with business principles, and had studied the question of taxation. Objections had been raised to a Supreme Court judge acting as Chairman. hut wliat nonsense it was. Tlie members: of the Judiciary were held in (he highest respect in New Zealand, and implicit confidence was placed in their findings. AYitli a Supreme Court Judge at the head of the Commission, tho evidence would he sifted thoroughly. He believed that the ventilation of the subject would do an immense amount of good. The idea of lofeioiice was as follows ■

“Whereas it is expedient that ail inquiry should he made into the present system of land and income taxation, in New Zealand, in all aspects, including the scope of rates and the incidence o' several taxes, allowances, and reliefs also assessment, appeal, and collection, and the prevention of evasion, and that a commission of inquiry should report what alteration of the law is necessary, or desirable, and vliat effect any such alterations would have on the rate of tax and if it were necessarv to maintain the total yield of income tax respectively.” They would see that it- was. as wide as possible. It would he open to the press and the public and speaking for Ihe Government, he would have no objection to its sitting in any centre of the Dominion, small or large. Ho would give his assurance that the Government was not going to depart very iar from any principle laid down by the Commission.