DOMINION REVENUE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 172, 29 October 1910, Page 8

DOMINION REVENUE

SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES. IN NEARLY ALL DEPARTMENTS. HALF A MILLION BETTER THAN LAST YEAR. By Telegraph— Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Premier, Sir Joseph Ward, in the House of Representatives to-night, read tile returns of revenue for the period from April Ist till October 251.1 i. 1!)10, which showed an increase of £573 , i>2 over the corresponding period of last year. The figures showed th.it in (very Department except registration there had been a substantial increase, and those Departments which were an index to currents of trade showed that the Dominion was in a prosperous state. He moved that the House go into committee of supply to consider the Estimates. MR. MASSEY'S CRITICISM. Mr Massey congratulated the Ministry and Parliament and the country on the improved state of the Dominion finances. He, however, intended to move an amendment as follows: "As since last session the revenue (;i the Dominion had considerably increased, and is to be further augmented by legislation now before the House, and is already more than sufficient for the ordinary purposes of the Government, and unnecessary taxation is harassing to the people, this House is of opinion that the surtax provided for. in the Customs Duties Act, 11)09, should be abolished forthwith." Mr. Massev supported his amendment by argument drawn from the state of the finances disclosed by the statement just made by the Preiniei, and said there was a growing impression that the country was being overtaxed. THE PREMIER'S The Premier expressed astonishmem at Mr. Massey's action in moving the amendment. He recalled the anxious period he had passed through as Colonic Treasurer during the recent depression, and the criticism of the Opposition neainst the Government's finance. Mr. Massey was actuated by political motives in moving the amendment. The £50,000 raised by the surtax was an infinitesimal sum per head of the population. It was a strange procedure on the part of Mr. Massey to move an amendment having the effect of reducing money available for public works before he had had an opportunity of sepins the proposals contained in the Public Works Statement. Mr. James Allen said the Government should not have allowed Mr. Massey to take a lead in the matter. The surtax was imposed owing to a temporary fall in the revenue and it was only 'right that it should be removed. The surtax was not being paid by the rich. The Premier had anticipated an increase in the revenue of £331,000, but if the present rate of increase were maintained it would run into £1,000,000.

The amendment was defeated by 44 to 28.