PRIVILEGE RE-GRANTED

Hokitika Guardian, 4 July 1924, Page 1

PRIVILEGE RE-GRANTED

niruellKS HKt.IKVKI) OF TAXFS.

[tlY TELEGRAM!—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, July 2 Until comparatively recently religious denominations have been relieved of ilie responsibility of paying taxes upon rliurelios, Sunday schools, and properties used for purposes other than pecuniary gain, but this concession was upset in part bv a judgment delivered by Mr Justice Sim in the Supreme Cmirl., authorising local bodies lo lew rates upon all buildings used for Sunday school, purpose-’. Accordingly a deputation representing Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational Churches, also the Church ol Christ, and Salvation Army waited on the Prime Minister this morning to a-h thill tin- law In- amended, restoring them tin- exemption they previously elljo ted. The deputation was introduced by Mr Wright. M.P.. who pointed hut that the gentlemen present represented a great majority of the religious denominations in the Dominion. They asked Hint the soirit of the law he so altered as to enable Sunday schools to lie I rented as churches, so lar as rating purposes were concerned "hen tho\ were used lor logil iimite religious purposes. lie stressed the importance of Smidav school work in ihe community. Rev Mr Comrie also spoke.

The Prime .Minister stated in reply ilmt ho thnrouphly understood the p"--itiou and apreed with their request. A fortnight apo he had asked the At-torney-Cenoral to put the matter ripld I,V legislation tips session. •Xno can tal.e it from me." said Mr Massey, "on behalf of the Covernmenl. t!mt we will do ever.vl hiup we possibly can t„ pul the matter riplii. and 1 liave not the slightest doubt hut that I’arlianicnt will apree to it."