SIMPLER TAX LAW

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29008, 24 September 1959, Page 14

SIMPLER TAX LAW

Mr Nordmeyer

In Favour

WELLINGTON, September 23.

The Minister of Finance (Mr Nordmeyer) and Mr J. T. Watts. Finance Minister in the last National Government, agreed in the House of Representatives today that taxation legislation was too complex and should be simplified.

Mr Watts, speaking during committee stages discussion of the Land and Income Tax Amendment Bill, said he was certain there could be simpler legislation.

Often amendments did not make their purpose clear, and more background to explanatory notes on bills should be given. Taxation was so complex and at such a high level that the House should be fully informed on the legislation.

Mr Watts suggested that a committee of outside tax specialists, including taxation consultants and accountants, could be set up to

put forward the views of the taxpayers. A departmental committee was not sufficient.

Mr M. A. Connelly (Government, Riccarton) said that Mr Watts had himself introduced new and involved tax procedures when he was Minister, and consequently amendments to that legislation were fairly difficult to phrase.

Minister In Favour

Mr Nordmeyer said he agreed wholeheartedly that tax law should be simplified. “If it can be, and I think it can, we should take steps in that direction," he said.

Mr Nordmeyer also agreed that the Government should take advantage of the advice of outside tax committees such as the New Zealand Society of Accountants’ tax'committee.

“I would be happy to co-oper-ate with them in trying to simplify the tax law,” he added. Mr W. S. Goosman (Opposition. Piako) said that four different tax tables in two years were the cause of “all the tax confusion today.” He said the bill could be clarified if the department prepared examples to explain the meaning cf the less understandable clauses.

No Decision Yet On Coloured Petrol (New Zealand Preu Association) WELLINGTON, September 23. The Minister of Transport (Mr Mathison) told the House of Representatives last night that he c< ”® e no conclusion on the desirability or otherwise of a llour^d, t petrol scheme. Talks wwe still going on. Goosman ‘ Pta ? o _? had asked with "J* 1 , been made «uoured petroL