FARMERS’ TAXES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17198, 19 June 1916, Page 8

FARMERS’ TAXES.

MR NOSWORTHY’S PROTEST. In the House of Representatives, during the discussion on Ministers’ replies to questions, Mr Nosworthy strongly protested against the incidence of taxation as far as the farmers were concerned. Farmers, ho declared, had to pay all the forms of taxation. They were called upon to pay land tax, graduated land tax, and super-tax, and then on top of all that they now had to pay income tax. The system was most unfair to the farmers, and the unfairness had increased under the National Government instead of decreasing. He knew of a Hawke’s Bay settler who had made loss of £7OO in tho drought. \,jr just passed, yet ho had had to pav over £2lO in income tax, because

no was not allowed to deduct all the interest paid on his stock and other gages. Dozens of farmers lie knew line! had to obtain bunk overdrafts before the war, and since the war broke out they had to increase their overdrafts. Tho system of taxation was most unfair, and he would not support the National Government or any other Government that continued such ;an unjust system. (Hear, hear,” and laughter.) A voice: l “Then vote against, the Government.” (Loud “Hear, hears,” and laughter.) The incidence of taxation, declared the member for Ashburton, was unfair in Mr Bnllanee's time, worse under Mr Seddon, under the Massey Government and even more oppressive under tho National Government. (Loud “ Hear, hears,” and laughter.) tVhat was wanted was a system of taxation that would be fair and just to the men. on the land. (“Hear, hear,” and laugher.) ' Tho Prime Minister, who replied later to Mr Xosworthy, was invited by a member to “ walk .into him,” hut ylecliped the invitation. The popular principle of taxation, said Mr Massey, was to make very man pay according to his ability to pay, and' that was what the Government had aimed at all along. (“Hear, hear,” and laughter.) Tho

time might, however, ho coming when they would have to revise the whole system of taxation. (Hear, hear.) Ho thought that the tax system of the country ought to he revised, but they could not do it until the war was over. (Hear, hear.)