EXCESS PROFITS REVENUE.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 285, 17 November 1916, Page 3

EXCESS PROFITS REVENUE.

SHOULD BE EARMARKED FOR SOLDIERS. A HASTINGS REQUEST TO GOVERNMENT. A special meeting of the Hastings Patriotic Society was held yesterday when, there were uresent: The Mayor (chair), Rev. Brocklehurst, Rev. Father Mahoney, Messrs McLeod, Colebourne, Kiely and Fraser. The meeting was called to discuss the disposal of Excess War Tax revenue. . . , After a lengthy and interesting discussion the following resolution, moved by Mr. A. L. D. Fraser, and seconded by Mr. J. S. McLeod, was unanimously adopted:— “That the following resolution be forwarded to all patriotic societies throughout the Dominion with a. recommendation that if they are in accord with the principle involved, they will forward it immediately to the Prime Minister. That, as the Excess Profits Tax, which does not exempt from taxation moneys, voluntarily contributed to war relief funds, is diverting to the Treasury a proportion of the money which would have been subscribed and paid into various associations, formed throughout the Dominion* with the object of assisting wounded and sick soldiers and their dependents, and the depedants of those who have fallen, we respectfully submit for your earnest and favourable consideration our proposal that the revenue derived from this tax should be partly or wholly set aside as a special fund, apart from the Government Pension scheme, to assist soldiers and thdir dependants, so that the men who are fighting our battles may not be deprived by Act of Parliament of the help and assistance a grateful public would have given them. We contend that war profits are largely created by the loyality and self-sacrifice of the soldiers, and that the ear-marking of this revenue is nothing but what is right and proper. To devote it entirely to the Public Debt Sinking Fund, to use it for liquidating ordinary war expenditure, or for any other purpose, would, in our opinion be contrary to the . wishes of thei people of the Dominion.” It was also decided to forward a copy of the resolution to the H.B. War Relief Association, asking their support and requesting that it be transmitted to the Central Advisory Board in “Wellington.