NATIONAL ECONOMIES.

Mataura Ensign, 21 July 1909, Page 4

NATIONAL ECONOMIES.

THE STAMP Oi'T ICE. vi:b unithii r.jrss .wso-m.ition WELLINGTON, July -JO. A'. 11It leiereiico tii the Government'!, scheme of retrenchment, Ol' i'indlay slated to an iiiierviewcr that henceforth the creation and custody of all stamps will be in lho hands ol the Post- Office. Assessment of deceased estates for duty purposes and the collection ol rluty will be transferred to the I.and anrl income Tax Department in all centres. The duty upon deeds will be assessed l>y District Land Registrar, but deeds will' I hen have lo lie stamped by a p0,.l oliioe oiiicial. The original Stump Olliiv staff, which was always i-mid!. will, under the now arrangement, be still further reduced. The Stamp Oifice Department will continue to have, charge of the work of assowing all deed* ami other inst niinenl s and of registration of companies and various classes of societies, ami will retain the secretarial work of the (he De--d;; Office and uiher special work which has hitherto been attached to the Stamp Office Department. The new scheme, Dr V'indbiy added, bad been brought in with a view to retrenchment, and In- hoped that when in operation a considerable saving would bo elieeied. At present lie was unable to suggest to what extent, the saving would lie. ]t is understood tied the (h. i-(church Stamp OiiV'e, as r .sMi. iv:li < aso io , iSt altogether.

A LIiGAL IM'OTE^T. CHRfSTCliriiCii. July L'O. The legal practitioners here aro strongly opposed fo the proposed closing of the Stamp Office, pointing oui thai the Kystem of assessing and paying death duties at AYellinglon tviH lead to delay and nnnecc: sary expense.