GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY AND TAXATION PROPOSALS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3991, 31 August 1929, Page 2

GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY AND TAXATION PROPOSALS.

DISCUSSED BY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The Government proposal to withhold the Highways subsidy and the proposed increase in primage duty and proposed land tax were subjects which came in for a good deal of discussion at 'Thursday’s meeting of the Fojxton (Chamber of Commerce.

The discussion was introduced by Mr. Geo. Barber, but Mr. Perreau did not consider that all the subjects mentioned concerned the Chamber of Commerce which was a body constituted to look after the welfare of the town of Foxton.

‘ Air. Barber and other members argued however that as Foxton depended on the country for its well being and as it had country representatives on its council it should discuss matters pertaining to the welfare of the district.

The President (Mr. J. Iv. Hornhlow) ruled that as the Chamber had previously created a precedent hv discussing land settlement questions and making representations to the Prime Minister in that connection, 'that the matters raised bv Mr. Barber were quite in order.

Ah'. Barber referred to the injustice that would be suffered by the farming community if the Government's proposed land tax was put into operation. The President dealt with the proposed inc-jrease in primage duty which he said would have the effect of raising the cost of living if put through. Mr. D. R. Barron said the Chamber should support the Manawatn County Council in its protest against the proposed withholding of the Government subsidy for highway work. If this was done highway-work throughout the county would have to be curtailed and in the Manawatu district alone something like 150 men would be thrown out of' employment. ! Mr. (Barber: Its a matter of National importance. The President endorsed Mr. Barron’s remarks and referred to the good work already carried out by the Manawatu (County Council and said that body already stood committed in connection with the highway between the Whirokino Bridge and Sanson. They should have the Chamber’s support in their protest against the curtailment of the subsi dv.

Air. R. N. Speirs also endorsed the previous speaker’s remarks and said there was some suggestion that portion of the petrol tax was going to be used for purposes other than that for which it was rgised. It was decided to forward' the following protest to the Prime Minister:—

“That this Chamber protests against the Government’s proposals (1) to withhold the Highways Subsidy, the effect of which will be to modify and postpone urgent highways construction work on the Wel-lington-Auckland-New Plymouth main highway within the jurisdiction of the Manawatu County Council throwing a large number of men out of employment; (2) that the Chamber opposes the proposed increase in primage duty the passing on of which to the consumer will add to the cost of living; (3) that the proposed land tax will have a detrimental effect upon the farming community of this district.”