DRIVEN OUT BY TAXATION
AUSTRALIAN PEOPLE. AUCKLAND, February 9. With 260 passengers on hoard, the Aorangi arrived at Auckland, from Sydned en route to Vancouver shortly after 6 a.m. to-day. The vessel will continue her voyage at 11 a.m. to-mor-row. Included in the passenger list were several company directors on their way home on business. Speaking ing of Australian affairs generally, those who were interviewed expressed the opinion that the financial situation in the Commonwealth had not by any means been solved, it was stated that many companies were seriously considering transferring their premises to other countries. In one or two instances it was r IendenSHRSEEE instances it was learned that the business men had come to New Zealand to inquire about setting up establishments in the Dominion. Mr H. G. Somerwall has returned after representing New Zealand at the anual conference of A.M.P. Societies in Sydney. He said the conference discussed njainlv the present financial situation with the heads of various financial institutions. “These men were of the opinion that things will get much worse over, there,” saiu Mr Somerwell, “but they still Ijnd an. optimistic■ feeling that better times were ahead of them”.
“DRIVING PEOPLE OUT.” “Commonwealth and State taxation is driving people out of Australa,” remarked a well-known Government official from West Australia who has retired on superannuation. “That is the reason why my wife and myself have
come across to New eZalnd. We are gping to have a look round to see if we can find a suitable place to live in. We . intend returning by the Aorangi next : trip. Tf we make up our minds we will . come over here to spend the remainder of our days.” The visitor was Rt-sn --nr of De°ds and Titles in West Australia. He said that he had ben talking with Sir James Mitcell, Prime Minister 'of West Australia, nbotft West Australian • secession. “I told him that if steps | were not taken promptly l )V the Gov--1 ernment to.bring it about, most of the people would have seceded themselves” The Prime. Minister had replied to the effect that people in Australia were not | only trying to find a cheaper place to live in, but also n cheaper place to die in. As an example of the heavy taxa-
tion imposed on people, the visitor mentioned that his wife had a small income from some property she owned. Last year she was taxed £9, hut this year, before they left for New Zealand the tax ,had been raised to £B4. “Take my owtl ease.” he continued, “t have certain securities in England which j bring me in about £2300 a year. The Commonwealth Goxernment, has taxed me on that amount up to £I3OO a year They are bleeding us white. Do you know they are. even taxing our pensions now? As a matter of fact, the tax at present amounts to approximately 12s 6d in the £l. am not going to stand that, so tbo.se who can are. getting out of the country. We don’t mind a fair thing, but the present taxation is a bit over flip odds.”
Included amongst the passengers was Mr T. O’Brien, of the Civic Theatre. He said that the theatres in Sydney were being well patronised, especially those which were putting on te better, class programmes.
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Hokitika Guardian, 12 February 1931, Page 2
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552DRIVEN OUT BY TAXATION Hokitika Guardian, 12 February 1931, Page 2
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