INCIDENCE OF THE NEW TAXATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5451, 16 September 1878, Page 2

INCIDENCE OF THE NEW TAXATION.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE HEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir, —I scarcely think that the unpatriotic nature of the msasure proposed by our liberal Government for the taxation of local jointstock companies is fully understood by the public. A few illustrations of how unjustly it will operate may open people's eyes. The Union Steam Shipping Company will have to pay the tax,, but their competitors, Messrs. MoMeokan, Blackwood, and Co., will escape, because the profits they make go out of the colony. The New Zealand Steam Shipping Company will have to pay a portion of their hard-earned profits, while the owners of the opposition boats, the Kiwi, Tui, &c., will go free. The New Zealand Shipping Company, being a colonial, institution, will bo taxed, while Messrs. Shaw, Saville, and Oa. will pay nothing. Supposing Messrs. Oliver and Ulph, in Dunedin, sell their business to a local company, as is probable, that company will have to pay the tax, while Messrs. A. Briscoe and Co., trade opponents across the road, whose principals reside out of the colony, will pay not a cent of the profits they make out of New Zealand. Th Lyttelton Times will contribute nothing to the revenue, but the profits of its rival, the Canterbury Press, will be taxed. Messrs. William Montgomery and Go. (Limited), will pay, but Messrs. Miles and Co. will not. These are but a few samples of the proposed liberal reform in the incidence of taxation.— I am, &c., Gr