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Hokitika Guardian, 8 September 1924, Page 2

Tire Minister of Finance is keeping his promise in resrard to the reduction of taxation. The estimate of reductions now forecasted is £900.000. or £IOO.OOO loss than the amount first spoken of. It is to bo assumed this reduction, wili

lie* possible by reason of reductions also in iiclininistiiitiou. If that lie so; tlic result tvill bo all the more acceptable, because it has been felt that the country is really over-burdened with the current cost of the public administration. It is probable that the Minister has not fully exhausted his proposals in regard to reduced taxation. The step as far as it has gone has bfen taken warily—not wiping out absolutely any particular class of taxation, but merely tapering it oIF. This remark is specially applicable to tbo amusement tax brought in for war purposes —yet still remaining in operation even though now curtailed hut slightly as affecting the lower prices for admission. .Air Massey has not adopted any set principle as affecting the actual incidence of the taxation. It has been a question of raising money, and that has bet'll done by the means readiest at hand. It is not likely that the Govcrnniont proposals will be defeated, even though they may be contested hotly as regards the principles at stake in the way of taxation. The time has to come evidently, when taxation will he placed on a mure definite basis, 'flic needs of the country are so many and so pressing, that it is a question of raising money quickly at times and doing it through the easy channels. All this, despite the fact that the Government has in its possession a clear and definite report from the Taxation Commission dealing comprehensively with the whole subject. The Government, however, is not disposed to he so radical as to reform the whole system of taxation. But, sooner rather than later, in. the interests of the natural development of the country, there must ho some regard for the expert advieo tendered as to the most advantageous methods of raising income for the Dominion to advance to its proper destiny.