VALUE FOR MONEY

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 60, 8 September 1945, Page 11

VALUE FOR MONEY

WOMAN'S POINT OF VIEW

"I feel that this Bill will prove a great disappointment to the women of New Zealand because it gives no promise of relief from the burden of taxation they have shouldered for many years," said Mvs. G. H. Ross (National, Hamilton) when speaking in the second reading debate on the Land and Income Tax (Annual) Bill in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon. Mrs. Ross said the women had looked forward to relief from taxation on many articles which at one time were regarded as necessaries, but were now regarded as luxuries. Women could not obtain domestic help and were unable to purchase vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, and washing-machines on account of the cost. Every mother was concerned at the cost of clothes needed for children. Expectant mothers, even with the incomes they received from their husbands plus family allowances, found it difficult to purchase, the articles needed, such as cots, chairs, and the like. The women wanted to be able to obtain more for the pound than they could buy at present, Mrs. Ross said. The country needed increased" population, and if families were to have more than two or three children, something would, have to be done to assist mothers to obtain the comforts and amenities and' necessaries they required. The Government should consider reducing the sales tax on articles required by women and children. Durj ing the war women had played a great I part. She was not referring to those in the forces, but to those who had contributed to the work of ■ the country. They had stayed at home and looked after the children, had knitted for those overseas, had helped to make up parcels for the soldiers, and had done 101 other things, and it was only right that things should be made easier for them now. People wanted to feel that when they spent £ 1 they obtained full value for the money.