CLASS TAXATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 April 1938, Page 7

CLASS TAXATION

THE NEW SUPERANNUATION SCHEME SIR A. RANSOM’S CRITICISM. DRAGGING DOWN THE THRIFTY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. HASTINGS, April 5. “I regard this as another form of class taxation,” said Sir Alfred Ransom, when questioned at Dannevirke concerning the superannuation scheme. “The scheme was first announced as a universal superannuation scheme, but it now appears universal in only one respect, which is that everyone will have to pay. So far as the Prime Minister’s statement is concerned, only the unfortunate, indigent, and thriftless will receive any benefits from the scheme. In the present proposal those who pay in most will receive nothing of the benefits. “The Prime Minister has stated in the House on more than one occasion that his Government’s object is to raise the standard of unfortunates, but we do object to the dragging down of the more thrifty section of the community to the same level. The latest step of the Government will largely assist his ambition.”

Sir Alfred said the Prime Minister had expressed the hope that the emergency wages, income and unemployment taxes would be wiped out, but he was imposing a new tax which would continue for ever. Now a public department would be required to carry out the work demanded by the Bill. Already under the present administration the Public Service had been increased by more, than 8000.