EXCESS PROFITS TAXATION.
EVASIONS ALLEGED, Marton, May 29. A subject of great interest to producers is war taxation. The Wellington conference of the Now Zealand Farmers' Union spent some time over the matter 10-dav, and the discussion was interesting. A feature of the discussion was the condemnation of the excess profits tax. Mr. A. Howie (Waverley) moved: "That in plaoe of the excess profits tax as at present levied, the graduated laud and income tax should be increased At a flat rate, and that the exemption should be lowered." He said that the: experiment known as tlio excess profits tax had failed badly. The man who could not "rig" his 'returns paid more than the man who could. Mr. H. A. Nevins (Tinui), who supported the motion, said ho preferred a graduated tax. Farmers could get auditors to so make up their returns that they paid no excess promts tax. He understood that a list of names was held in Wellington of men who had paid little or nothing, and ho hoped these people would be rtinde to pay. For the l presont. they were escaping. Mr. A. Stuart (Marton) said the excess profits tax wafl bad because it penalised industry. Mr. Kevins, Mr. G. Sykes; M.'P. (Mastorton), and others objected to the reference to "flat raije" in the motion, r.nd the reference was deleted. Mr. W. B. Matheson CEketahuna) said the way some of the farmer* were evading the excess profits tax was scandalous. He hoped the evaders would tie proseouted and punished. Mr. J. Balsillie (Palmerst.on North) said the farmers were coijiplaining about ■ taxation every' year, and it was tip to them to suggest a method, ,Ho thought ,an. acreage tax would l>e best. Mr. A. Robinson (Wanganui) thought there could be no two opinions on the ; .exc«ss profits tax—ifc was inadvisable, fie moved tlio following amendment to the motion:—"That in place of the excess profits tax as at present levied, the graduated land aud income tax should be increased, and the exemption lowe|ed. Mr. J. Allison (Wanganui) seconded the amendment. Mr. G. Sykes, M.P., said the excess profits method ww a bad o)ie, and he favored,the amendment. Mr. H. Daysh (Martinborough): If our spineless National Government had put a tax 011 exports all this could have been done away with. Loud cries of "No!" The amendment 'Was oarried. The following Gladstone-Carterton remit was withdrawn without being discussed: "That the farmers request the Government to put on an, export tax in place of the excosß profits'tax."
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Taranaki Daily News, 1 June 1917, Page 5
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418EXCESS PROFITS TAXATION. Taranaki Daily News, 1 June 1917, Page 5
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