WAR TAXES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2515, 16 July 1915, Page 8

WAR TAXES

WHO SHALL PAY THEM?

A LABOUR DEPUTATION

Representative delegates from the recent conference of tie United Federation of Labour brought under the notice of the Prime Minister certain matters on which the conference had expressed an opinion. The chief topic was the raising of revenue by taxation to defray the cost of the war. Their request was that this extra revenue should be raised by taxing incomes and by an iuoreaeed graduated tax on land,' and that no extra burden should be put upon the workers.

The Right Hon. W. F. Massey, replying, said that lie did not think it would bo possible for him to introduce a big Arbitration Bill to Parliament this session, but he would not say positively that this would not be done. Concerning the request for a- universal halfholiday, he said ho believed the matter would right itself. He had observed what was taking place all over the Dominion.

Referring to war taxation, Mr. Massey said that this must come, to proride for the heavy expenditure incurred and to bo incurred. The loans to meet t'hi3 would havo to be raised at a relatively high rate of interest. And the war had affected Customs and Railway revenue, perhaps by causing a shortago of shipping. He could not say what sum annually would bo required, but it would .bo a large sum. As to how it would be raised ho could say nothing. It would be improper for him to give away the decisions of Cabinet before they were placed before the House. Mr. Paul had suggested an increase in income tax and graduated land tax. "I can't say on this point what we will do," said Mr. Massey, "but I can say that I think we shall be able to raise the money necessary without making the conditions of living harder.-to those who have a difficulty now in making both ends ineot. That is as far as I can go now. But you will see what is in my mind, and in the minds of my colleagues." Mr. Massey added that it was a matter for congratulation that in the present crisis there were no industrial troubles in New Zealand. Ho would like to take this opportunity of saying it was a very great thing for the country, and he hoped it would continue—at least'until the war ended.