THE MORTGAGE TAX.
j We confess to a degree cf surprise at j the announcement made by the Prime Minister that he,does not propose exempting mortgages from land tax. The reason given for the change of front is that seme unscrupulous persons may circumvent the law and thereby escap6 taxation. Such a contention is at once irrational and unconvincing. There are few, indeed, in this country who evade their lawful obligations fin the way of the payment cf income tax. It would be monstrous' if the exemptions under the. income tax were, entirely removed because in one or two isolated cases, there was an evasion of the ifct. Similarly, it appears to us to be a cruel aspersion upon those having money invested on mortgage in luid, to suggest that they would escape their liability if the laud itself were not taxed. Our contention is that it iis unjust to make the occupier of land pay taxation on something which docs mot belong to him, and the plea of dishonesty is no defence to the perpetration of an in- | justice.
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Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10708, 31 August 1912, Page 4
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180THE MORTGAGE TAX. Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10708, 31 August 1912, Page 4
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