WAR TAXATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 July 1940, Page 4

WAR TAXATION

THE NATIONAL SECURITY IMPOST EXEMPTION PROPOSAL REJECTED. RELIEF OF HARDSHIP PROMISED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. An amendment aimed at exempting persons with salaries of £260 per annum and under having two or more dependants from the National Security tax of Is in the pound was heavily defeated in the committee stage on the Finance Bill. The Opposition members voted with the Government against the amendment moved by Mr Atmore (Independent, Nelson), whose only supporter was Mr Lee (Democratic Labour, Grey Lynn). This was the only division on the five financial Bills passed by the House yesterday. Public authorities were made liable for National Security tax, the amendment being made at the suggestion of the Minister of Finance, Mr Nash. The Minister explained that the clause in the Finance Bill abolishing the exemption of charitable gifts from death duties and gift duties would be further considered by the Government, as opportunity would be given charitable and religious bodies to present their case.

Rapid progress was made through the second readings and the committee stages on the National Savings Bill, Land and Income Tax Amendment Bill, Land and Income Tax (Annual) Bill, Social Security Amendment Bill and Finance Bill. The committee stages on all the Bills took less than two hours.

Commenting on Mr Atmore’s amendment when moving the third reading of the Finance Bill, Mr Nash said that there was nothing the Government would not do to ameliorate the conditions of those of lower incomes while at the same time paying for the war. The Government would take steps to meet cases of hardship.