PROBLEMS GRAVER

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 83, 8 April 1941, Page 9

PROBLEMS GRAVER

COUNTING THE COST

EFFICIENCY AND SACRIFICE

COMPLICATED TAXES

"It is fast developing to a stage when the Government will be employing an army of officials to collect the taxes and the ratepayers an army of accountants to protect them," remarked Mr. G. T. Crawley, president of the Waikato Subprovincial branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, in his report to the annual conference of the branch.

Taxation, he said, instead of being simplified had become even more comj plicated, necessitating an ever-increas-ing staff of officials, many of whom Avere capable of much more useful I work. "Some person's income." he stated, "is the source of all revenue for taxation purposes, so the most logical and equitable method of collecting it is by direct income tax. There is very little justification for any other forms of taxation, most of them being levied in an endeavour to hide from the taxpayer the amount he has had to pay."

Pointing to the gravity of the problems facing the people, he said that they were greater and graver than ever before. "It is the imperative duty of every one of us to see thai our Avar effort is carried on with the maximum of efficiency, shirking no necessary sacrifice," he said. "The war is

entering a very active phase and the results of the Avar at sea are bringing home to us more and more the desperate nature of the struggle." Events were folloAving in such rapid succession that comment as to their likely j repercussions was very difficult. j FLOOD OF REGULATIONS. "Regulations," he said, in dealing with the problems facing the people of NeAv Zealand. "haA'e continued to be poured out in such a flood that even those Avhose duty it is to administer them cannot keep pace with them. Many of these have been issued Avith jthe best of intentions, but have proved ! useless, as it has been impossible to I enforce them or to comply Avith them. {Often responsibilities are evaded by I radio propaganda. A good example of what may be accomplished by proper methods is the response to the request by the British GoA'ernment for increased production of cheese. Much more would be done if employers and employees in vital industries, Avho are willing and anxious. Avere alloAved to Avork longer hours."