MORE TAXES FOR FARMERS.

NZ Truth, Issue 1194, 18 October 1928, Page 15

MORE TAXES FOR FARMERS.

Can this country stand the heavy drain that prohibition would entail.' Are we such an irresponsible community that our laws are not"stringent enough, and that we have to Import the American idea of prohibition? These are questions that every thinking elector will find no difficulty In answering. The cost of living has increased wherever prohibition has been ti-ied, heavier taxes have t>een levied m order to make up the deficit m revenue, farm lands have depreciated m value, and from every viewpoint, prohibition has been proved a colossal failure. The late Right Hon. W: F. Massey, who himself was a. farmer, said: "The deficiency m the revenue caused by prohibition would fall on the people by way of all-round taxation." The revenue derived from the sale of liquor m New Zealand amounts to over £1,900,0.00 per annum, and if prohibition were carried taxation on foodstuffs and other necessities would be absolutely essential m order to make up this sum. Not only so, but the Government would have to. find another million at least for the purpose of attempting to. enforce the law, and the, farmer would have to bear his share. Increased land tax and heavier duties on agricultural machinery arid implements 1 would be almost certain to be imposed.* ' ■ 11