LABOUR’S CHANCE

Hokitika Guardian, 6 May 1932, Page 7

LABOUR’S CHANCE

OVERTAXED CAPITALISTS. WELLINGTON May 4. Strong resentment at the attitude of some Labour speakers concerning hie motives in 'connection with taxation legislation was expressed by the Hon. W. Downie Stewart in the "House yesterday. ' “If Labour ever hope to get into office,” Mr Stewart said, “they havt more chance of getting in, not by tilt votes of the working man but by the votes of over-taxed capitalists, because that is the 'stage we have now reached in New Zealand.” The Minister said that taxes wert now so overwhelming that he had beer, astounded at the attacks which had been made on himself by the Opposi tion. He objected to the allegations that he had tricked the House in stating that he had originally contemplated imposing £2,000,000 in taxation, and alleging that for some motive he had not put it on. “It was quite unfounded,” he said, “and I resent It very much,” Referring to the sides tax, the Minister .sitid that it whs difficult to evolve and io apply, but it might become in evifable to Impose it next yeaiu Ar for the criticism iMunfchPd by Labour speakers, it wits astolittding, unfounded and unjustified, Mr Stewart saicl that he had already indicated that if further taxation wer. necessary it would be both direct anc indirect. Investigation had shown that the resources of the country were r-.uch that practically £2.000,000 would have had to come out of the sales tax and Customs, and about £200,000 from income tax and stamp elut es. The Government had been, able to stave off the extra taxation for another six or twelve months: The Labour Party stated, on the one hand, that taxation should have been imposed, and then when certain lines of taxation wer suggested to them, they suggested that they should not be imposed.