THE WAGE TAX

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1931, Page 5

THE WAGE TAX

MR LANG’S F ROPOiALS. MANY OBJEU..JNS VOICED. (Australian, Press Association.) (Received th.s day at 8 a.m.) 0 UllO 2/. In the Assembly the Jax Lid p..sscu all stages. Lc was iMli se,.i lu u.e .Legislative Council. l .„uy op.moil is that il the Council rejects the measure eariy next week, the Premier will in the event oi the Governor refusing his assent, appeal to the British Government direct for assent. .Mr l/atig claims to nave a precedent for this course. Mr Lang’s colleagues point out that if the Bill does not become' law, it will be impossible to finance tiie Public Services at the end of June, and police, schocl Iqaehers, rail, tramway, and tth_ er Government employees will go without pay.

In the tax schedule, companies and individuals are required to deduct from any money payable to a person residing outside the State, sufficient to pay the tax due on any dividends or interest paid during 1930-1931. Bankers are of the opinion that the wages tax will Seriously prejudice the proposed conversion loan.

% Theatrical interests declare the tax will cause more theatres-to close. Several Manufacturers contemplate moving their businesses to Victoria. HELD UP BY COUNCIL. (Received this day at 9.25 n.m) SYDNEY. June2. The intention of the Ministry to dispose of the wage tax legislation in one day, with a view to a proclamation on Monday, was defeated- by the Legislative Council, when a motion affirming urgency was negatived. The Council agreed to the first reading.

The Premier stated the new taxes are expected to yield sixteen million pounds during the next financial yeai 1 The “Telegraph” says if it comes to' a Party division, the Government can count on only twenty votes in the Upper House. To complicate matters further, it is believed from the tone of the manifesto issued by Mr Theodora, and the Australian Labour Party provisional executive, that the section in the Council who refused to sign the Lang Plan pledge, will assist the Nationalists in defeating the Bill.