THE BUDGET .

Hokitika Guardian, 5 August 1929, Page 2

THE BUDGET .

WELLINGTON OPINIONS. 1 WELLINGTON, August 2. When asked for his opinion of N the Budget, the president of tile Wellington Chamber of Commerce (Mr E. Salmond) stated to-day that he would not care to express a personal opinion until the Government’s proposals had been reviewed by the Council of the Chamber. “This much, however, you can say,” declared Mr ’Salmond. “There will be a strong protest forthcoming from the combined Chambers of Commerce concerning the doubling of the primage duty on imports. When the last Government imposed a tax of 1 per cent on imports, it was stated that this could not be handed on, but now that the tax lias been doubled there will (be a great temptation to add 2 per cent. As to the other items, such as a super-tax on land, they were just what was expected.” “The wiping out of a deficit of £577,252, and the providing for increases in expenditure in almost every Department, is a 1 problem that demands very careful consideration,” said Mr F. Campbell of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Association when asked for his views of the Budget. “From a brief and somewhat huirried consideration,” he added, “the estimated revenue is no more than the Government of the day could expect to colic-jct, and no less than they could safely ask 'for to carry on the business of the cQuntryi

“The proposals to place- Government trading concerns somewhat nearer, as far as taxation goes, to .private concerns, will be universally; .endorsed. I think the manufacturers of New Zealand will agree that the proposals are reasonable, and should not interfere'with the prosperity of New Zealand.” Mr Campbell concluded by saying that the exemption of land' and income tax up to £12,500 was perhaps on the low sido, and he though this might have been raised by another £SOOO. It did not take much land at from £7O to £BO an acre to total £12,500.