TAXATION

Evening Star, Issue 19583, 15 June 1927, Page 9

TAXATION

HO CHANGE OF DECREASE POSSIBILITY OF INCREASE FPer United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Juno 14. The possibility of an increase rather than a decrease in taxation in Now Zealand was mentioned in a letter from the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Downio Stewart, received at a meeting of the council of the Chamber of Commerce to-day. The Minister wrote acknowledging receipt of the chamber’s protest against the Government’s failure to reduce taxation in view of the Budget "plus, and the Minister stated that ho had tried to make it clear in his speech at Feilding how the surplus had cmne about, and that it could not possibly bo a basis on widely to justify reduced taxation, more especially in view of the outlook, which might quite [lossibly call for increased taxation it tho finances of tho country were to bo kept on a pro-m' basis. However, on the question of any increase in taxation this should not be regarded as a considered opinion. The Chairman (Mr A. G. Ininn) remarked that they had asked for a reduction, and tho Minister talked of an increase. A difficulty was that they did not know whether tho surplus was a real or merely a paper one. Mr H. Hudson-said he had brougnt the matter to the attention of the Taxpayers’ Federation, which had better facilities for investigation ol Govern inont accounts than any other body. The matter was referred to the executive for consideration.