BIG MAN WINS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 269, 13 November 1928, Page 8

BIG MAN WINS.

BEFRIENDED BY REFORM.

"REDUCE THE COST OF LIVING"

MR. JENKINS TELLS HOW.

"We are paying taxes on what we buy and not on what we earn," said Mr. Harry R. Jenkins, United party candidate for Parnell, in drawing attention to the fact that Reform have made Customs, which all must pay, the main source of revenue in this country.

Mr.-Jenkins addressed an overflovf meeting at St. Mark's Hall, Remuera, last night. Mr. H. K. Clayton presided. "My opponent has not told you that Customs duty has increased from 29 per cent of the total taxation in IJ>lB to 51 per cent in 1927, and that income tax has relatively decreased." Thie is in accordance with the policy of the present party, which even in such matters as taxation on motor cars gives a preference to the big man.

"The squatter," said Mr. Jenkins, "is well able to contribute a large amount to our taxation without any hardship.'* There were resources open to taxation which were recommended in the Royal Commission's report of 1924, which, if properly distributed, would, in conjunction with stiffer graduation on the higher incomes, enable the United party to carry on a national public works policy which would provide employment and at the same time' not increase general taxation. This' would tend to reduce the cost of living.

"Inseparable from this is a virile land settlement policy,' which, under Reform; this country lacks," said the speaker. "I can tell you a,3..a practical man/' added Mr. Jenkins, "that there is room under the policy which the United party will bring in for thousands %f settlers to earn a gopd living on the land if we introduce common sense into our national policy." "This would be based on the recognised '.principle that the country. would get its return from the produce which the farmer brought forward to swell the country's, income. It would pay handsomely \fa- give the land and provide cheap money for the settler in his early days, as had been done in Western Australia ari<i Canada. The lack of vision was further evidenced by the interference with: private enterprise, which was killing the revenue producer.

The railways, in competition with the Northern Steamship Co., a most valuable provincial institution, were cutting freights to all ports. Whereas the freight to Frankton, 86 miles, A class, is "63/; to Thames, 148 miles, there was a flat rate of 25/.

Mr. Jenkins answered a number of questions, and a resolution of thanks and confidence, moved by Miss Wilson, was carried unanimously.