WHOLESALE HOUSES CONFER AT DUNEDIN

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6844, 23 February 1929, Page 8

WHOLESALE HOUSES CONFER AT DUNEDIN

Business Taxation REPEAT, OF WAR TIME STAMP DUTY SOUGHT CUSTOMS OUT OF DATE. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, Last NigM. On Wednesday and Thursday of thia week, delegates representing the wholesale general merchants of the Dominion mot in Dunedin to take part in their annual conference.

The conference attracted the most representative gathering of merchants that has ever assembled in the Dominion. Delegates were present from Auckland, Gisborne, New Plymouth, Hamilton, Wanganui ,Hawera, Napier, Hastings, Palmerston North, Masterton, Blenheim, Nelson, Gieymouth, Westport, Hokitika, Christchurch, Timaru, Dunedin, Ocrmaru and Invercargill. Many matters of importance to the wholesale trade were under consideration, while several matters of interest to traders generally were brought under notice.

Attention was directed to the continuation of the measure introduced during the war, whereby stamp duty on cheques and receipts was raised in each instance from Id to 2d.

It was pointed out that it was understood that this increase would be concelled at the conclusion of the war and it was particularly emphasised that thie increase was a tax imposed on one section of the taxpayers —trading community. It was resolved to make strong representations to tho government that the time had long passed when a reversion to the old rate should be given effect to. Attention was directed to a continuance of the out-of-date practice of the Customs department which required that all tobacco and cigarette packages be stamped before being passed by the Customs. There was a concensus of opinion that this system had outlived its usefulness and representations aro to bo made to the department that merchants should bo relieved of this economic waste. v The matter of taxation came under notice, particular attention being directed to amendment to the Income Tax Act passed in 1927, which resulted iu an increase in income tax on one section of the community approximating, in many instances, 100 per cent. ( Tho conference decided that strong representation should be made to the government that what was termed class taxation be reviewed when the next Parliament met.

An expression of appreciation was recorded at tho recent announcement of the Prime Minister that in his opinion the time had arrived when the government should give the business people more encouragement to develop their business and that the government should abstain from that interference which had characterised political activity in recent years. Very great regret was expressed at the nows of the death of the Chief Justice and the conference passed a resolution of deep sympathy with the relatives of deceased and placed on record its sense of loss to tho country in the death of such a distinguished citizen.