Offer by M.P.

Press, 25 October 1982, Page 12

Offer by M.P.

Sir,—Mr Burden's stunt of scoring a political point off the Labour Party at a personal cost of $3252 shows him to be an exceedingly wealthy man. Perhaps Mr Burden could tell us why he voted for a tax bill that gives him money he does not need and if he wishes to be truly philanthropic let him give his surpluses to the Churches in Community Coalition. At any rate Mr Burden’s choice of charity is an admission of his own Government's pathetic stewardship. As an exercise in bringing Mr Burdon into touch with ordinary New Zealanders I suggest that he work out a weekly household budget based on $2OO supporting say a couple and four dependent children. Mr Burdon may then understand why the Labour Party and others have called for tax reform based on social justice, not political advantage.— Yours, etc.

JOHN SUMMERS (Jun.). ’ October 9, 1982.

[Mr P. R. Burdon, M. P. for Fendalton, replies: “The Government has given substantial tax relief by a reduction in direct tax to 90 per cent of all New Zealanders in the Budget. It has set out to reward effort

and initiative while preserving the living standards of the lower-paid by targetted support schemes such as the Principal Income Earner Rebate and the new Family Rebate. I make my offer of refunding my tax benefit to the Consolidated Fund if any member of the Labour Party is prepared to do likewise because I am fed up with the Labour Party Parliamentarians saying they don’t need the refund. If they don't need the refund or believe in the refund then they should back their principles with actions. I would hope that at least one of the 43 Labour Parliamentarians has the moral courage to back their party’s words with actions." — Editor]