TAX ON REPAIRS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20861, 13 August 1942, Page 5

TAX ON REPAIRS

EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE WAIRARAPA PROTEST “In view of the serious earthquake damage in this district the executive views with amazement a law which charges heavy taxation on the repair of our misfortunes. We realise that the Commissioner of Taxes does not wish to make himself ridiculous by gathering shekels from an unfortunate act of God; but an addition of 20 ho 30 per cent in taxation to our repair bills is such a serious disability that we feel that the Minister of Finance should make the necessary dispensation.” This was a resolution passed unanimously at this week's meeting of the Wairarapa provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union. . Mr. James Andrew, in moving the motion, said that they were going to he in the position of' being taxed on their losses. The aarthquake was an act of God and it could not be used as a means of writing off repair costs as depreciation. He contended that people who suffered earthquake losses should not be taxed on their losses. Seconding the motion, Mr. R. E. Chamberlain said that he was paying £6 as sales tax on a chimney he had had erected. “There are cases in which houses will have tc. be demolished on account of earthquake damage,” said Mr. I Hugh Morrison, president. “For losses of that kind we must battle for relief.” Mr. Andrew said that to set the dall ■ lolling the resolution should go for- ! ward. He knew of a farmer who had I to pay tax on the cost of earthquake | repairs three years af£er the 1934 1 earthquake. I After further discussion the motion was carried.