"COMPLETE RUIN."

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 151, 29 June 1931, Page 7

"COMPLETE RUIN."

#AGE TAX OUTCOME. UJS.W- Council Urged to Reject jfew Lang Measure. INDERAL TREASURY ANXIOUS. molted P.A.-Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 11.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, this day. The main topic of conversation in }few South Wales is Mr. Lang's pronosed wage tax. Almost the entire population is fervently hoping that tie Legislative Council will throw the measure out to-day at all costs. Business men predict complete ruin otherwise and say money which legitimately should be spread over private enterprise will be diverted to the Government. The "Daily Telegraph" says that Mr. Land's proposals may exhaust the Commonwealth fields of taxation. It is understood that they have led to an induction being issued to Federal Treasury officials to ascertain the extent to which the Commonwealth Budget position will be affected. The House of Representatives is likely to remain in session Avhile the legislation is before the New South Wales Parliament, so that the Federal revenue interests may be safeguarded. If the bill is passed the Commonwealth Budget Avill hare to be drastically reviewed. The All for Australia League has issued a statement entering an emphatic protest against Mr. Lang's Wage Tax Bill, stating that the Premier should appeal to the people before any legislation, which is so definitely designed to wreck the Premiere' Conference plan, is introduced. The "Sydney Morning Herald" appeals to the Legislative Council to saA-e the country, and it is noAV believed that the Council Avill adopt this course, irrespective of the consequences. A meeting of members of that Chamber will be held prior to the reassembling of the Council. . It was reported last evening that the LerislatiA-e Council may defer its consideration of the bill until Mr. Lang discloses his intentions concerning the manner in Avhich he. will carry out the economy plan of the Premiers' Conference.

In the alternative it is suggested that it will throw out the measure. In a sermon at St. Matthew's Church, Manly, the Kev. Ebbs'said: "Mr. Lang's proposal is most unjust and has been introduced by a discredited Government. The wage tax will increase unemployment and accentuate our present chaotic conditions. I hope the people will rise in angry protest from one end of the State to the other and express their indignation by refusing to pay the tax if imposed." The northern miners are hotly opposing the wage tax.