ADJUSTING TAXATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1921, Page 2

ADJUSTING TAXATION.

HELP OF BUSINESS MEN, STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER. (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Nod. 26. A statement that the Government was conferring with, business men regarding taxation matters was mentioned in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon by Mr. H. E. Holland (Buller). The Chambers of Commerce, said Mr, Holland, had requested that a commission or committee should work with the Government, and at a gathering in Christchurch a telegram bad been read from Mr. W. S. Bennet, of Dalgety and Coy., stating that the Prime Minister had authorised the appointment of such a committee. The telegram had added that it was now open to the Chambers of Commerce to suggest the names of men who should sit on the committee. Mr. Holland asked if this was correct and if the Government would give a- promise that the Labor party would have similar representation in proportion to its numbers. The Prime Minister replied that a few days ago a small deputation of Wellington business men interview’ed him with regard to the present system of taxation and the possibility of improving it. “I am always glad to receive these deputations,” said Mr. Massey, “because I am able to supply them witli information of which they are not in possession. They generally go away satisfied. So it was in this instance. The suggestion was made that I should allow the head of the Taxation Department and probably the head of the Finance Dtpartment to confer with two or three lepresentatives of the business men on the subjects that we were discussing. I consented and I quite expect that some good will result from the conference. I have always noticed that when men acquainted with a subject are, able to get together, even if they look at it from different points of view, they are able to arrive at some satisfactory conclusion.” A member: “Will the farmers be represented ?” Mr. Massey: “I have no objection to their being represented. I think they should be. The fact that farmers have to pay land tax and income tax even when they have no income amounts to a levy on capital. Of course, as Minister for Finance I have to raise the money.” Mr. Holland: “With respect to the workers ?” Mr. Massey: “I think it will be better to take Labor by itself. Let the farmers also come by themselves. If the proposal is given effect to. it will be just as I have said, a conference with the heads of Departments.”