THE STAMP DUTY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 13 June 1913, Page 4

THE STAMP DUTY.

For maij ye&r 8 past thre tradesmen of Maeterton and' other centres have Buffered an imposition on the part of the State that neither commoa aense nor public policy can justify. The guiding principle in all eyfrte-na of taxation should be equity,. Ga» . it be held that the law which compels t&e affixing of a penny stamp to every receipt .for an amount of «W £2 ia either just or. equitable? ' will take fche'ease of what are known to tradesmen aa "bad marks." An account may be rendered monthly for. twejyie' half-pcaury »tomp the truuWTa&jv hs*t Contributed sixpence to the ;Ste-tte, The ajnouiit the debt may be for' £5, and the, ; tr4desman receives £3 on account, or as? ft' compromise for the 1 full ftmOTnt, (fe this bo pays another pertiay to the- State. If be sues for the baianee, he ha« to oontribdte a thr>e6-: shilling stamp to the Court officials, and if the ease ewses before the conrt, another three fthiilings is demanded. He receives judgment, and applies for a fudgmeoat summons, for which he Ess to contribute another fee. And then, in oil pmbabilitx, tbo debtor. goe» bankrupt,; and the lot. The business people of the : nxinion - have: a : right ' %&'- : their just quota to wards the taxf^ tibn reqmwd to maintain tie Berrici%-' of the State! But we are persuad-; ed that, under the system at present in operation.,* they ar® being unduly harassed by the tax-gatherer. The tow that compels the affixing of s penny stamp to every receipt, whether it be for £2 or £SO, is an tk». ■ • ItjsbaiaM : &t hj» - by the Obamßers of Commerce ofthe Dominion,' and representations ekem&l be made to the Govermoeot witty a view to securing some relief. .•>