INCREASED PRIMAGE DUTY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 5 August 1929, Page 6

INCREASED PRIMAGE DUTY

DEBATE IN THE HOUSE JL (By Telegraph) (From “The ‘Mail’s” Parliamentary Ileporter) WKLTJNOTON, 3rd August. Strong opposition to the increase in the primage duty was expressed prior to the passing of a resolution to that effect in the House of Representatives. The Leader of the Labour Party (.Mr H. Ji. Holland) expressed the view that the proposal to increase the primage duty by ]. per cent, was absolutely wrong in principle. The United l.’arly was following in tlie footsteps of the Reform Party. The whole point was that the duty was not for the purpose of conserving any manufacturing interest, or secondary or primary industry, but it was purely for revenue-raising purposes. That principle was entirely wrong. Such a taxation meant a reduction in the wages of the working people of the country, and a reduction in the purchasing power of those who were receiving small incomes. The Prime Minister hoped to get £200,000 from the tax, Iml lie ventured to say that by the time it reached the consumers it would mean a tax of £400,000 at the . very least.

The Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward) said it was a misapprehension to suggest that the tax would be passed on to the consumer. The Leader of the Opposition (the Right Hon. J. G. Coatcs) said the Government was entitled to have the resolution passed, and the House could discuss the matter fully at a later stage. Other speakers against the proposal were Mr A. Harris (Wai(,emata), Mr J. J. McCombs (Lytlolton), Mr C. H. Chapman (Wellington North), Captain 11. M. Rushworth (Bay of Islands). Mr A. M. Samuel (Thames) and Mr C. A. Wilkinson (Egmont).

The resolution was agreed to without a division.