FLOCK HOUSE FINANCE

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3288, 6 March 1926, Page 6

FLOCK HOUSE FINANCE

REMISSION OF TAXATION SOUGHT. "IMPOST INCREDIBLE,’’ KAYS MINISTER. Reference to the fnct, that the Government had deducted in taxation £35,000 of the £211,000 .given by New Zealand farmers for the dependents of British seamen who lost their lives in the war was made by the Hon. E. Newman,, chairman of trustees, in thanking the Minister of Education, Sir James Parr, for paying a visit to Flock House yesterday. The position is that certain farmers authorised that ten per cent, of their surplus wool profits should be handed over to the fund, and that the taxation department, before handing the amount over, deducted the £35,000. Mr Newman said they had already petitioned the House for a remission of the money and intended to do so again and again until they obtained redress. He thought, it was most unrighteous to tax benevolence; there was no private interest in Flocl! House, and it was not a concern for money-making. Moreover, the institution was doing the work of more than one Government department: it was bringing out immigrants and was also carrying out afforestation work. Sir James: You're doing the State's own job. Mr Newman added that Flock House was not keen for assistance, but wanted justice.

The t Minister said he had voiced his personal feeling with regard to the matter in the House and was of opinion that some arrangement might be made, indirectly, if not by direct grant. Before he went Home he would be glad to leave his views on record with the taxation authorities. He would also have a chat on the matter with the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Downie Stewart. "That, the fund should' be mulcted in income tax seems to me almost Incredible,” Sir James concluded.