MORE TAXES FOR FARMERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 October 1928, Page 7

MORE TAXES FOR FARMERS

Can this country stand the heavy drain that Prohibition would entail? Are we such an irresponsible community that our laws are not stringent enough, and that we have to import the American idea of prohibition? There are questions that every thinking elector will find no difficulty in answering. The cost of living has increased wherever prohibition has been tried, heavier taxes have been levied in order to make up the deficit in revenue, farm lands have depreciated in value, 8 and from every viewpoint, prohibition has been proved a colossal failure.

The late Right Hon. W. F. Massey, who himself was a farmer, said: “The deficiency in the revenue caused by prohibition would fall on the people by way of all-round taxation.” The revenue derived from the sale of liquor in New Zealand amounts to over £l,900,000 per annum, and if prohibition were carried taxation on foodstuffs and other necessities would be absolutely essential in order to make up this sum. Not only so, but the Government would have to find another million at least for the purpose of attempting to enforce the law, and the farmer would have to bear his share. Increased land tax and heavier duties on agricultural machinery and implements would be almost certain to be imposed.—ll.