LUXURY TAX URGED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 755, 30 August 1929, Page 10

LUXURY TAX URGED

MR. MASSEY’S BUDGET ' SPEECH NERVOUS INVESTORS (THE SUN'S Parliamentary Reporter} PARLIAMENT BLDGS., Thurs. The methods that had been adopted in Australia to meet the position ereated by the deficit were referred to by Mr. J. N. Massey (Franklin) in the House today. He believed similar proposals in New Zealand would have been more acceptable to tha country generally than those put forward in the Budget. An increased tax on luxuries, without raising the cost of living, should have been the objective of the Government. The Reform Party at the last election had in mind a scheme for helping workers by providing allotments for them where they could keep a cow or two or a pig. So far he had not. seen any evidence that the United Party intended to adopt such a scheme. A United Member: Oh, yes they are. ' Mr Massey said he did not wish to deal fully with the land taxation proposals at the present time, as ha would reserve most of his comment until a later occasion. However, he desired to assure the House that it was most unfortunate that these proposals should have been submitted at a time when not only farmers, but lending institutions and private mortgagees generally, were just beginning to regain confidence in investment in broad acres. Those considering taking up land would now refrain, and J" ve stors nervous it required he .£ resent proposals to make them avoid any commitments.