Labour Party Asks For Review Of Tax System

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28889, 8 May 1959, Page 14

Labour Party Asks For Review Of Tax System

(New Zealand. Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 7. A review of the incidence of taxation is sought in a remit adopted by the annual conference of the New Zealand Labour Party, says a supplied report today. The wording of the remit, approved earlier by the finance committee, was: “That the incidence of taxation be reviewed, with the object of creating a more equitable and simpler system.”

The conference also supported a remit that: “Any Budgetary measures necessary to maintain full employment and stability in the primary and secondary industries be supported.” Another remit adopted asked that social security tax on income be shown separately for taxation purposes.

A remit that the personal tax exemption for all taxpayers be raised was referred to the Parliamentary Labour Party. Other remits similarly referred were ones seeking tax exemption for widowers employing housekeepers, for taxpayers with invalid wives requiring housekeepers, for individual home owners on local body rates, and for farm employees for the replacement of working dogs. Likewise referred was a recommendation for tax exemptions for travelling costs for all workers. Remits rejected in this group sought the introduction of a classified land tax to spread the load of local taxation, and graded taxation on newspaper advertisements. Referred to the Parliamentary

Labour Party were general finance remits as follows:

That interest charges on hirepurchase agreements be reduced;

That no entertainment tax be levied on welfare bodies; That donations to churches, Karitane, Plunket and similar societies be tax free;

That capital gains by all taxpayers be subject to taxation; That the excess profits retention tax be replaced by other means of preventing evasion of the dividend tax; That the death duty ratea on farm properties be reviewed; That death duties on estatei under £lO,OOO be not payable until the death of the relict; That private companies submit returns to the registrar of companies; That the advisability of joining the World Bank be investigated; That overseas credit be used for major capital works and equipment; That Reserve Bank funds be made available to local bodies; That greater influence be exercised over the activities of trading banks; and That subsidies granted to shipping companies be examined.