REFORM'S TAXATION DEBACLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 76, 29 March 1924, Page 14

REFORM'S TAXATION DEBACLE.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Mr. Massey'wants someone else to take over Finance. He has really run this portfolio since 1918-1919, the year after the fall of the Coalition Ministry. From this year the gradual disintegration of our prosperity begins. All Public Service charges were increased, in some cases 100 per cent, yet in the four succeeding years a loss is shown in many departments. Customs duties on ordinary living necessities have in some cases been advanced over 100 per cent. No wonder the birth rate this year is the second lowest in the Dominion's history, and the cradle is becoming an empty piece of househdld-iurniture, while the cost of living still spars sky high. The average price of Government land purchases was, prior to 1919, £6 9/ per acre, but the price rose in the years 1919 to 1921 to the sum of f 12' per acre. As a consequence the Government will have to reduce soldier settlement purchases £4,000,000 to £6,000,000, which will come out of the taxpaying/public, and is in the pockets of the landed barons. To add insult to injury. ißeform cut out income tax from the farmer last year, pretending to help the whole farming population, whereas tljey presented 4000 (approximately) wealthy farmers with a cheque for £220,000 and 70,000 small iarmers only benefited to the tune of £17,000 reduction. Reform have borrowed and spent every million they can lay hands on, either from outside or in- , side the Dominion; they have taxed every conceivable thing in the country to the fullest and have "bled every company and concern to the point of bankruptcy. There haa been one bankruptcy every day in Auckland this month, and next week is fully occupied. 'I have attended four private assignments in the last 24 hours and yet Mr. Massey claims that the country is most prosperous.—l am, etc. HALL SKELTON.