LAND TAX.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20103, 5 December 1930, Page 24

LAND TAX.

EXTENSION OF TIME FOR PAYMENT. CHAMBER OP COMMERCE'S CRITICISM. A suggestion from Mr T. N. Gibbs that because of the difficult times land tax should be made payable in February instead of in November, brought some criticism of tho tax from Mr William Machin at last evening's meeting of the Council of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce. A committee, comprising the Land Tax Committee and Mr J. Mac Gibbon, was set up to consider the letter, to forward it with the Council's opinion to the Associated Chambers of Commerce, and to represent tho Chamber at all meetings on production costs. The question arose in a letter from Mr T. N. Gibbs, who, after apologising for his absence, instructed the secretary to bring his statement before the meeting. He wrote that many farmers found the payment of land tax in November difficult. The proceeds from wool, lambs, etc., did not come in until January and later months, and he suggested that the tax be made payable in February.

' 'An Anachronism." Mr AY. Machin thought that if tho question were referred to the - Associated Chambers it should be done with the provision, "while the land tax exists." The land 'tax, he said, was an anachronism, and the feeling was that the sooner it was abolished the better. The basis of the tax was that it was a privilege; but that was no longer so. It was sai'd also to be easy u but he would like to hear the opinion of the Commissioner of J axes on that point. ,He suggested that they might send along a suggestion to the Associated Chambers that !' community generally should be asked to Rive an opinion on the col-lei-tion of land tax. Mr W. H. Nicholson seconded this motion. Mr C. P Agar thought that the Council might set no a special committee refer Mr Gibbs's letter to it, and authorise it to represent the Couni!r u any , co " f erence the Chamber might be asked to be represented at on production costs. The farmers were Wi W6£ t' ancl t v wo approach nrena^r - h " d tWfore to

Hamilton seconded the

Committee Reappointed. The acting-president (Mr A. O Wilkinson) suggested that the Council should reappoint the Land Tax Comsentativ« WaS thoroughly re P re " PmnrXT d T de £ the Land Tax Committee should deal with the queson during the Christmas vacation, should refer £Tie letter to the Associated Chambers with the Canterbury Chamber's opinion, and should represent the Chamber at all meetings. On the motion of Mr A F. Wright. Mr J. Mac-Gibbon was added to the committee, which was given power to act with the full authority of the Chamber. "When it was {jointed out that the Council had no invitation to attend tn<» meeting on Wednesday. Mr Agar said that the Associated Chambers would te represented, although it was doubtful whether ho or Mr Norton X rancxs could be present.