PUBLIC MEETING.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 284, 11 December 1879, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

A meeting at which about sixty were present was held in the Provincial Hall last night, to discuss the Property Tax. The chair was taken by His Worship the Mayor, who stated that he had convened the meeting in compliance with a requisition asking him todoso, signed by about 70 merchants, tradesmen and others. A few of those who had interested themselves in the matter had met last night, and drawn up certain resolutions 10 be proposed that evening, copies of which he had telegraphed to Mr Pitt, who, on behalf of himself and Mr Adams, had replied as follows :— " Telegram received and shown other members. After deducting the £500 and the taxpayers total liabilities, I believe the tax payable on the balance will not be so oppressive as generally supposed. The tax cannot be collected till next September ; in the meantime the whole matter can be reconsidered, and, if neceisary, rectified next session in May. No rate of tax is yet fixed ; I shall support the halfpenny." He would now be happy to receive any resolutions. Mr Livestam, after expressing regret that the meeting had not been called a fortnight ago, said that it was always an unpleasant duty for any Government to have to impose additional taxation, but no Government should do so without first ascertaining that it waß really necessary, and next they should take care that it should be as fair and equitable as possible. He was not sure tbat additional taxation was necessary, as it hud been said that £150,000 might be saved from the Civil Service list, and as the present difficulties arose from a temporary commercial depression such as had prevailed all over the world, he thought it would be quite fair to meet them cut of the receipts from the eales of land, of which there were 26 million acres ready for the market, but because a high price could not be realised for it, it was being reserved for the benefit of future generations, whereas Mr Sheehan had stated that there were plenty of people in Auckland alone ready to purchase if they could only obtain it at a moderate price. It was strange that Major Atkinson who, in 1877, proposed that the incidence of taxation should be so altered as to make it press equally on all, should now bring down a proposition that would have a tendency to cripple the industries of the country by taxing the stock of the manufacturers, while he proposed to allow Ministers with their £1500 a year, and others with good incomes to escape. It was agreed on all aides that the waste lands should be occupied as soon as possible, but if we began to tax people as soon as by their industry they got little properties and improved them, the tendency would be to prevent their coming to settle here. He then referred to the inquisitorial nature of the Bill, and proposed the following resolution :— " That, in the opinion of this meeting, a property tax, such as prososed by the present Government, is highly objectionable on account of its unfairness and its inquisitorial nature." Mb Moutrat had much pleasure in seconding the resolution, for he considered this to be one of the most unjust laws ever introduced into New Zealand. It would affect not only the working man but the tradesman and would place all manufacturers at a disadvantage, by taxing the machinery they required for their work. The Government talked about fostering local industries but while they lifted them with one hand 'they knocked them down with the other He quite agreed with Mr Levestam that such tax would mean ruin to many. The resolution was then put and carried unanimously. Mr Graham was sorry to see so few present, but it was to be accounted for partly by the short notice, and partly by the fact that there were other attractions, but it was to be regretted that attractions of so much lesa importance should prevent the mass of the people interesting themselves in matters that so deeply affected them, but they would think more of them when they had to put their hands in their pockets to pay the tax. The thinking portion of the community was, however, fairly represented, and he trusted they would be unauimous in recordiug their opinion. Although they might condemn this tax, he felt sure that as Englishmen they would not object to be fairly taxed when necessary, and this they would show by

adopting the resolution he had to propose. The property tax would not ieach those who were able to pay as being in receipt of good incomes. Mr Levestam had referred to one class, namely, Ministers of the Crown, but be would add professional men, such as magistrates, doctors, and lawyers. A lawyer making a good income, if he snent it all, would not be calle 3 upon to pay the tax, but those who were working hard and saving, and gradually acquiring smnll properties would have to contribute. A land tax might be fairly imposed aa well as an income tax, for land was property that was not depreciable*, and monopolists wobld be tempted to purcbase it and allow it to remain idle trustting to time to enhance its value. To preveut this it should be taxed. Tl c Government proposed to allow professional men to go free while they taxed the stock in trade of the struggling classes. He knew there were many leading citizens who sympathised with them in the object for which they were met together, but did not care to come prominently forward lest they should be accused of objecting because tbey would be affected by the tax, but they objected to it on principle and were perfectly willing to pay an income tax. They were told that the tax was not to come into operation until next September. Surely then there was no hurry to pass the Bill, but it would be far better to let it stand over until the next session thus giving tbe country an opportunity of expressing an opinion upon it in the meantime. He would propose the following resolution ;— " That, in the opiuion of thia meeting, if additional taxation is absolutely necessary, the best and most equitable means of raising it ia by a land and income tax." Mr Bond would willingly second the resolution as he thought a property tax would cripple and prevent the development of local industries. There were many trades which required machinery , and to tax that, while those in receipt of large incomes escaped, would be most unfair. Population in the colony was increasing too fast and employment was difficult to be obtained 5 many mechanics were out of work* and something would have to be done for them, and at such a time to propose a property tax which would cripple local industries was unwise and unfair. The Government had not got the measure fairly into shape yet and he failed to see why there was this hurry to rush it through. A number of things, he noticed, were to be exempt, among them being agricultural implements, but why should these be free while similar advantages were refused to the machinery required by builders and iron founders. Shipping, too, was to be exempt, and so shareholders in steam companies drawing their dividends would not be reached, which was unfair. He thought it far better that the measure should be withdrawn for the present, the old duties reimposed, and the whole question be discussed again at the next session and then have an income tax. He questioned whether either Ministers or members were in earnest when they talked about the financial condition of the country or they would have commenced by reducing their own salaries and honorarium. The resolution was carried unanimously. Mr. Donald thought the proposed tax unnecessary and most iniquitous. If attempted in England it would raise an outcry from one end of the couutry to the other. At all events it should not be brought into operation until the people had had an opportunity of thinking over and discussing it. He did not believe the subject had been approached by the House in an earnest spirit, for while all the members admitted that the colony was financially in a muddle, instead of endeavoring to raise it out of the mesa they spent their time in wrangling and trying to throw the blame the one on the other. If passed in its present shape, the tax, he was certain, would bave a moat detrimental effect on the trading and middle classes. The Customs duties were very high and to be forced to pay a tax on what had already paid duty was most unfair. At present nothing could be (lone beyond passing a formal protest, but before the House met again he hoped that the matter would be seriously taken up not only by this but by every constituency in the country. He would move " That in the opinion of this meeting so important a measure as one to increase the taxation of the country to the extent now proposed by the Property Tax ought not to be hurriedly made law at the end of a session, but if it is considered absolutely necessary to pass it, the following items should be exempted from ita operation — Personal effectß, stock in trade, and machinery plant of all kinds ; and that in any case the rate be a half penny in the £ instead of a penny as proposed." Mr Wilkie seconded the resolution. Mr Graham said tradesmen were now paying 16J- per cent duty on their goods, and now they were to be taxed a penny in the £ on their value. Everybody knew that there was always a quantity of stock in hand in a shop that depreciated in value year by year, and if they were to be taxed upon these the saleable articles would have to be charged at higher rates, and eventually the consumer would have to pay. The resolution was then put and carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr Moorhouse, seconded by Mr Gray, the Mayor waa requested to send copies of the resolutions to the members in Wellington. A Tote of thanks to the chairman brought the proceedings to a close. rr^ Tr=rT==rr^=====^*r**===r====*=— - '