WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1928, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS

THE BUDGF.f. REDUCTION OF TAXATION DEFERRED. (Special to “Guardian”.) , WELLINGTON, August 9. In face of tlio statement made by the -Minister of Finance in the Budget he presented to the House of Representatives on Tuesday night to the effect that it would he neither practicable nor safe to reduce taxation at the present time, there would be little profit in protesting against the Government’s long-deferred promises in this direction. Mr Stewart again assures the country that it may look forward “with confidence ” to increasing prosperity which “ will reflect itself in the public revenues” and “should enable a reduction in taxation to be made in the near future ” ; but these phrases have ■been so frequently employed by -Ministers during the last two or three years that their iteration will bring little comfort to a disgruntled public;. Mr Stewart insists that “taxation in New Zealand is low compared with most countries at a similar stage of development,” but he produces no convincing figures in support of his contention. The fact that Customs duties collected in the Dominion in 1915 amounted to £2 15s Gd per head of the population and in 192 G to £5 18s lOd will not help him. , HOW THE MONEY GOES. The “Post” of Tuesday evening, apparently with an intelligent apprehension of what the Budget would contain, suggested to the Government that economies in expenditure might assist in bringing about a reduction of taxation. “The Government bad dealt generously with the pig farmer by way of subsidy,” it said, “ it has even allowed the use of preservatives in bacon, contrary to its own law ; it has carried on the railways, at a loss of revenue, fertilisers and other necessaries for the farmer; it has exempted the farmer from paying income tax, and it has now decided to guarantee poultry farmers to the extent of over 2s a dozen on all eggs exported, and to meet any losses incurred in that trade out of the pockets of the community as a whole.” It also might have mentioned that the Government is guaranteeing apple shipments, practically subsidising wheat-growers, to the extent of many thousands of pounds and maintaining producers’ non-paving railways by fully half a million a year. When will New Zealand reach a stage of development at which these methods of spoon-feed-ing may be abandoned. “ A SOUND BUDGET.” Under this title the “Dominion” gives Mr Stewart due credit for his candour and courage. It may be a little superficial in its appreciation of the “ tapering-off in the rate of increase in the public debt,” but on the whole it presents the case for the Minister fairly enough. “ Very clear, very cautious, and very sound,” it says, “ fairly sums up the Financial Statement. . It is a Budget .singularly free from fancy frills; filain nnd business-like throughout and confined entirely to matters of financial policy and administration. Those who expected an electioneering Budget abounding in fine promises to be turned to profitable account at the coining elections will be disappointed. To those, however, who lonic beneath the surface and realise the importance to the country' at the present time of a sound and prudent administration of its finance, the review of the Minister will carry more weight and inspire greater confidence than would a whole blue-book of car-ticiding bids .for votes.” So much may be conceded without condoning any of tlie, Minister’s sipq of .omission. LEGISLATION FOR. AUCTIONEERS.

A Bifl containing forty-nine clauses and covering fourteen printed pages entitled the Auctioneers' Act 1028 is now before parliament arid ought to he receiving the attention of everyone associated .with the auctioneering business. The Bill is a little too technical to be. followed by the. average layman with full understanding, but some of its provisions seem to require more information than is yet available. Clause thirty-one. for instance, seems to have a flavour about it that is not usual in such enactments. “At any auction sale of fish, shell fish, fruit, or vegetables,” it runs, “ every lot shall . be sold to the highest bidder, and it shall not be lawful ,for any auctioneer to refuse to accept a bid from any person present at the side who is willing, or who states that he is willing, to pay cash for the, goods on. the fall of, the hammer, and any condition or stipulation in conditions of sale in any mailer violating this provision shnlj.be void and of no effect.” The surely might place the vendor ot the goods at a disadvantage ttie author of the Bill never intended he should suffer^,.