THE LAND-TAX REBATE.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 November 1921, Page 4

THE LAND-TAX REBATE.

To refer to the ten per cent, rebate of land tax as a first instalment of the reduction of taxation is altogether misleading, for only those who have, or can raise, the money wherewith to pay the tax before the 28th of the current month can claim the reduction, and if all other so-called reductions are on the same lines the prospect of any appreciable relief for the - generality of taxpayers will be exceedingly dim Instead of being a measure to afford relief, the Land Tax Amendment Bill is designed as . a stimulant to the flow of money into the Treasury, where it is badly needed. The tax has not been reduced — it still remains the same, having been merely "marked down” to those having the ready money to pay it at once, much in the same way as traders adopt in their bargain sales, the object being the same in both cases. Those who have the money can take advantage of the bargain, and those who have not will have to pay tile full price. It is not, therefore, a question of either decreasing taxation or of going on teving the man on the land. There may not be any grave objection to rebates being allowed on all taxes, but it would be impossible to call that system a reduction of taxation, when it is merely an expedient, and it would, have been more statesmanlike had the Minister placed the matter in that light when introducing the Bill. But why not make a real reduction in the land tax, and income tax, too? That would show the Government’s sincerity in regard to reducing taxation, thereby lightening the load that is hampering the economic life and development of the country?