LAND TAX

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 August 1929, Page 3

LAND TAX

SHEEP-OWNERS’ PROTEST

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, August 8 The Prime Minister has received the following telegram from the Canterbury Sheepowners’ Union, concerning the proposed super tax on landed estates: —■ “My Executive unanimously passed a resolution strongly protesting against the proposed legislation re a super land tax, and mortgage exemption; and the opinion is expressed to the effect that it will be disastrous to many farmers with equities from £5OOO to £15,000 in farming lands, and with mortgages covering the balance of value; and unemployment will be accentuated through the necessity to reduce expenses to meet extra taxation, if levied I trust the opportunity will be allowed farmers, and others interested, to place the position before you prior to an alteration of the law.” Sir Joseph Ward replied:—“l will give your organisation the fullest opportunity of placing youi* views before me before proceeding with legislation upon the matter to which you refer. I desire to point out to you that you evidently have been misinformed as to how the proposed change in the incidence will operate. The alteration in the mortgage tax will affect five hundred and five landowners, and the change in the incidence of the income tax wil affect 1650. The suggestion that £BOO,OOO additional is to be thrown on landowners is quite incorrect, and has no foundation whatever in fact. However, ample time will be given you to make your representations.”