TAXATION INCIDENCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 669, 22 May 1929, Page 11

TAXATION INCIDENCE

PRIME MINISTER SAYS CHANGE NEEDED RACING CLUBS’ BURDENS Press Association WELLINGTON. Today. Some changes in the incidence of taxation would have to be made, - said Sir Joseph Ward, answering a deputation urging that relief be given racing and trotting clubs. The deputation, which was representative of the racing, trotting, and hunting interests, and of the Sports Protection League, waited on the Prime Minister, asking for a reduction of taxation on ciubs. It was stated that the Government received £564,795, while the clubs’ share of the totalisator money, after paying expenses, was only £458,841. In reply, Sir Joseph Ward said that the question was very important, and he could not be expected to give an offhand answer that day. He was quite aware of the movement which | the deputation represented. As Minister of Finance, the importance of racing to the country was recognised by him. He had been looking closely" into the financial position in the last few months, but the results would only be known when Parliament met. He did not wish to commit himself at the moment as to what he would do regarding the representations of the deputation, but opportunity would be given for the representations made to be fully considered by the house. That was as far as he could go. In any case, his experience showed that it would not be the. proper thing for him to bring down Government proposals. He took it that the deputation was not certain of the attitude of the House. He had analysed the position, and he could not find that a majority of the House would be in favour of the change desired. However, he would undertake to ascertain definitely what the feeling of members was. From all parts of the country he' had received communications asking him to accede to the desires of the deputation, but he could not see his way to do that, nor did he think it reasonable for anyone in his position to be expected to do so. He knew his own course, but he did not know what the course of the Government or House might be. Speaking generally on the question of taxation, Sir Joseph Ward added that changes must-be made in the incidence of taxation. “That goes without saying,” he said. “We cannot have a large deficit without taking the necessary means to fill up the vacuum. In other words, the position cannot be allowed to drift because the year we are in brings its responsibilities and necessity. The whole question of finance has to be surveyed and reviewed, and certain proposals submitted to Parliament in connection with it.”