SIR F. BELL.

Grey River Argus, 16 October 1922, Page 4

SIR F. BELL.

DOINGS IN LONDON. TAX REDUCTIONS SOUGHT FROM HIM. (Rec. October 15, at 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, October 13. Sir Francis Bell to-day received a deputation of the New Zealand and Australian Agents’ Association, who urged the necessity of reducing heavy taxation on companies in New Zealand having their head offices in London, and also asking that the New Zealand Government should sanction the proposals of the New Zealand Taxation Committee, particularly that for the removal of double income tax, and for the adoption of an individual system of taxa tion. The deputation pointed out that some companies were being taxed to the extent of 11/9 in the £, in addi* tion to the British Corporation profits tax.

Sir F. Bell promised to lay the deputation’s views before the Government. He said that he and the Government recognised that the eompanie* represented were doing good work for the Dominion, and, instead of crippling them by taxation, he said, their suggestions should receive consideration us

far as was practicable. A SOIREE. Sir J. and Lady Allen held a recepion for 1000 guests, members of the Imperial Institute. There were present several members of the British

Cabinet, many New Zealanders, also uther High Commissioners and AgentsGcncral. The Prince of Wales presented Sir F. Bell with a casket in com-

memoration of his ten years’ service as Leader of the Legislative Council. The Prince of \\ ales, who received a hearty ovation, recalled his grandfather’s interest in the Imperial Institute, whieh he hoped would be of the greatest assistance to all the Dominions. The gathering recalled very pleasantly the many happy days he had spent in New Zealand, during his Dominions tour, days which he could never forget. It was a pleasure to honour Sir F. Bell, to whom he was specially grateful, because he organised the splendid month spent in New Zealand. The Prince referred appreciatively to the outstanding achievements of Sir I. Bell s legal and political career, and said that it was a wonderful record of public service. He concluded by wishing Sir F. Beil a pleasant holiday. Sir F. Bell, in replying, commended the patriotism of the Legislative Coun-‘ cil in war time, in sinking partisanship and co-operating in the interests of New Zealand and the Empire. Nonpartisanship was continuing during the post-war reconstruction. He pointed out the success of the repatriation scheme. Soldiers have already repaid half of the monetary advances, and the failures amounted only to 2 per cent. He eulogised the Prince of Wales’s services to the Empire and emphasised New Zealand’s loyalty to the Crown and devotion and respect foi the Royal house, which, New Zealanders claimed, was as much theirs as England’s.