SUGGESTED WAR TAX.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1387, 17 April 1915, Page 2

SUGGESTED WAR TAX.

Tuk Auckland Employers’ Associat has agreed to the following inclusions in regard to the suggested war tax : (a) That the income tax should be increased.

(b) That the land tax should be increased.

(c) That a primage should be imposed upon exports. (d) That it is not desirable to impose a primage upon imports. (el That all amusements should be taxed.

if) That the tax upon the tote should be increased. The President of the Association, Mr K. A. Craig, in explaining the recommendations, says:— (a) It is almost invariably a safe mode of levying a tax, as it is the person with an income of over ,£3°° P er annum who is asked to pay, and a person with less goes free.

(b) It is fair and equitable that the persons who have their means in property should be asked to bear their share ot the burden.

(c) To a very large extent the exporters are those well able to contribute substantially to a war tax, and it seems that the most equitable method is to impose a tax upon exports.

(d) There are sections that cannot bear any further burdens. I reler to the worker, and recognise that a tax upon imports would mean further increases in the cost of living, and would, therefore, press heavily upon those least able to bear it.

(e) I am ot the opinion that all amusements should be taxed, as it a person has money to spend upon amusements he should contribute directly to the War Fund through his pleasure, (t_) The tote is now taxed by the Government 10 per cent. This tax should be doubled. lam sure the racing clubs can curtail their expenditure to meet the contingency which has arisen.