BOUQUET CLAIMED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 187, 9 August 1930, Page 7

BOUQUET CLAIMED.

REMOVAL OF SUPERTAX.

EXEMPTED LANDOWNERS' BOASTS

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Renortcr.)

WELLINGTON, Friday

Failure, on the part of the Opposition to give the Government any credit for tli-o removal of the supertax on land was commented on by the Prime Minister, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, in the House to-day.

' Mr." Forbes recalled that the member for mid-Canterbury had simply suggested that removal of the tax had made the Government a laughing stock and the poor results of the tax were due apparently to that wonderful word "whatsoever," which appeared in the hardship clause. However, that critic had omitted to mention that the Government gave full effect to that clause by setting up a tribunal which was accepted by the landowners as a very fair one, and it did not endeavour to place on that commission anyone who might take a biased view. In that respect Mr. Jones might have presented just a little bouquet. Mr. Jones: Quite a good commission.

The Prime Minister: Their report was only in the way of recommendations, but wo'accepted them. It had been stated, ho continued, that some of the landowners who secured exemptions had boasted that they "put it over" the commission. That might have been so, though ho did not believe it, for the commission thoroughly examined every claim. But it did not improve the position that men should boast that they "got away with it."