Taxation of churches

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33539, 21 May 1974, Page 12

Taxation of churches

Sir, — On May 17 you reported that the Labour Party conference had passed a remit that churches should pay rates and income lax on all lands an incomes. If this remit becomes the official policy of the party, it will have the effect of reducing the incomes of the churches by nearly one half, and their welfare and pastoral work will be drastically curtailed. It is surprising that none of our church leaders has thought fit to oppose, or even comment on, the remit. What is even more surprising is that it was passed by the party which claims “to stand for the little people.” The little people — the aged and the sick — are the ones who will be left standing if this remit becomes the official policy of the Labour Party. — Yours, etc..

A. B. HARMAN May 20, 1974.

Sir, — As a Christian and a church member I was very surprised to read that the Labour Party conference decided on May 16 that churches should be called on |to pay rates and taxes. T [would point out that most I Roman Catholic and Protest-

ant churches are finding it very difficult today, to raise sufficient finance to keep going and that the moneys they receive come from members who have already paid taxation on the money contributed, and in some cases have paid on it twice over. Also the bald statement made that churches are moving into political and commercial spheres is mostly false. I am certain many church members from every denomination will testify that they are never asked to vote for any political party. Without the churches’ help, in rehabilitating prisoners, alcoholics, the aged, pensioners, drug addicts etc, where would these poor, afflicted people of New Zealand be? — Yours etc., CONCERNED.

May 17, 1974.