OLD MAN’S TAX

Hokitika Guardian, 21 October 1933, Page 6

OLD MAN’S TAX

BURNING QUESTION SETTLED

NORFOLK ISLAND WORKS

NORFOLK ISLAND, October 29. A highly contentious matter th'at has caused considerable feeling Avas disposed of at the last meeting of- tlie executive cpuncil. This js what is kiiovyu locally as “The Old ■ Men’s lax.” In tire past, eivery islander, ou reaching the age of 55 years, automatically became exempt from the periormance on tile roads of the public works.” It was q. privilege Of old ag.e oil Norfolk Island, where there is no old age pension, but that by-law -quite. ,a. number of affluent mainlanders, avlio had settled on the island in recent years, became “scot free.” •

The Executive Council altered tlie by-IaAV a year or t\yo ago so that on reaching the age of 55 years-men were told they -were too old to do the u-ork, but must- pay £3 a year in lieu thereof. I Ins. “roped in’’ the iicav arrivals, but it also bore most unjustly on the islanders Avho had been doing their “public AA'orks” for 34 years, and Avere now required to pay in addition. A total of 113 men were affected. • Mr Rossitcr moved to release from “public works,” or payment of any •sort, all residents avlio had reached the age of 60 years.

Air Healy moved an amendment aiming at setting free only those avlio had paid, or performed “public works” on Norfolk Island, for 34 year's, the others to lie in the same position as at present. With the difference that they would have the privilege of working, instead of paying, if they were physically fit to do so. The amendment was carried.

Mr .Rennie unsuccessfully endeavoured to set free from work oy payment those covered by a doctor’s certificate.

Ike president ruled that the only effect of these certificates was to debar from working those permanently unfit, but, as the call was for money, they must pay. A man unable to work for six months of the year must perform liis year’s “public works” in the remaining six months.