TAX MAIN TOPIC FOR NATIONAL PARTY CONFERENCE

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28938, 4 July 1959, Page 14

TAX MAIN TOPIC FOR NATIONAL PARTY CONFERENCE

(New Zealand Press, Association/ WELLINGTON, July 3. Pleas for reductions in general taxation and death duties form many of the remits to be presented to the annual conference of the National Party which is to be held at Dunedin on July 25 and 27. Fifty-eight remits from branches are still to be considered by the party’s Dominion council, but 36 have been released for publication. Most of the remits envisage a National Government after the next General Election and they appeal for action when “the National Party becomes the Government.” /

The Otakl branch heads the list by asking that earnest consideration be given to finding ways and means to make worth while reductions in general taxation. Rangitikei urges simplication of the P A.Y.E. system, and Pahiatua wants the taxpayers to have the right of appeal against penal tax imposed by the Commissioner of Taxes. North Dunedin asks for deductions for income tax purposes of donations (within certain limits! to charitable, religious and educational institutions.

Waitakl asks for the abolition of land tax. and Remuera suggests that the conference seek to have amended the law relating to aggregation of income earned by a husband and a wife, with a view to easing the burden of taxation on young couples Fendalton, in asking for an investigation of the tax payments by self-employed persons, says: “The present system is considered tobe a hardship to farmers, traders and others who are selfemployed They have to pay tax before they have received mtich of their income. For example, full tax for 1959 has to be paid on March 7, when they had not completed their trading year Traders had all their March trading to come, and had also to collect debts that were outstanding." Death Duties

Waitakl wants a “National Government” to restore death duties to the level ruling when the National Party was in power, and to continue reductions in rates when, did where, possible.

Pahiatua and Nelson' believe that death duties should be abolished with the object of ensuring the continuance of productive farms and businesses. A consolidation of remits from Rotorua, Waitomo, Raglan, Hauraki. Waipa and Waikato, asks that, to view of the crippling effect of -death duties, the party “on becoming the Government” takes immediate steps to reduce death duties and also set in train action to revise the whole system of death duties. A note states that the present system has been in operation for more than 100 years and requires to be brought up to date. Points the branches ask to be considered are:

1. The rate of death duties to be fixed on the amount received by individual beneficiaries, and not on the final balance of the estate.

2. An extension of time be allowed for payment of duties. 3 No death duty be payable on an estate until both husband and wife are dead. 4. The'effect of death duties on ■ the • economy of New Zealand should be investigated. 5. The retrospective effects of death duty legislation should also be investigated Hurunui asks for a reduction of death duties at every opportunity and for legislation to terminate “the anomaly in the Joint Families Homes Act which prevents a farmer from registering bis home under the act with the same facilities as an urban owner.”

The first remit dealing with finance comes from Fendalton and asks for an earlier Budget. The branch comments: "The date of the Budget is usually July or August. This is an inconvenient

date, as decisions become effective parf of the "way tlifougb the fiscal

year. Last year, for example, P A.Y.E was increased from October 1, and it is considered that the. business community is entitled to know earlier than half-way through the year, where it stands as regards taxes.”

Small Savings Franklin wants an investigation into the feasibility of a system of National Savings certificates or premium bonds along the lines of the- United Kingdom scheme. A note to the remit gives brief details of the British system and adds: “These methods are inducements for the small saver, who is attracted by tax-free interest” Stratford asks that New Zealand join the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. A “much more positive line” is called for by the Rodney branch, which wants the party, “on becoming the government.” to have special regard to private ownership. Other remits include a request from Franklin for all annual meetings to be held to Wellington, union members to vote on compulsory unionism (Heretaunga), the removal of the chairmanship of the National Roads Board from political control (Rotorua, Waitomo and Waipa), an inquiry in transport to schools (Waitaki), traffic control by police (St. Albans), farmers to have the right to transport their own goods to their own vehicles for any distance in the course of their business (Rotorua, Waitomo. Raglan and Hauraki)

Other matters passed are: An increased penalty for car conversion (Waipa), a civilian land settlement scheme similar to rehabilitation of servicemen (Marsden),! and a policy statement on the same matter (Central Otago), the introduction of television by private enterprise (Hastings), an overhaul of legislation on town and country planning (Hawke’s Bay), a salary limit for State houses (Wellington Central), diplomatic representatives by qualification, rather than by political affiliation (Pahiatua), and a bill of rights (North Shore), Only two remits are presented on licensing. The Tamaki branch wants a definite policy for* the amendment of the licensing laws to bring New Zealand into line with public demand and overseas precedent, particularly for restaurants. A remit on, similar lines from Patea asks for consideration of a referendum on 6 o’clock closing.

Social Security A consolidated remit from Raglan, Waikato and Hamilton states that “the continuing expansion of Social Security is unjustified in a virile young country like New Zealand, as it tends to make people more dependent on the state, and less on their own efforts, and insidiously strengthens bureaucratc control.”

Remuera asks that legislatidn and regulations giving Ministers and departmental officers power to make administrative decisions from which there is no appeal, be reviewed with the object of giving individuals the right to challenge such rulings,” and that the advisability be studied of establishing a tribunal,, similar to that .set up. recently iq the United Kingdom, to oversee the operation of State departments and tribunals with the principal object of safeguarding thq rights of individuals In accordance with established British traditions.”