Family Rebate

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 182, 3 August 1937, Page 8

Family Rebate

EMERGENCY EMPLOYMENT TAX. From Our Own Corresuondent. HASTINGS, Aug. 2. Tho opinion that a reduction should be made in the employment emergency taxation in the case of a man with a family, as is done with income-tax, was voiced at the monthly meeting of the Hawke’s Bay provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union in Hastings on Saturday. The discussion arose from a motion from the union’s Tukituki branch asking “that recommendations be made to the Government for a family allowance to be made in employment emergency taxation.”—This motion was carried.

4 ‘There is a great need just now for increased population,’’ said Mr. H. J. McKeesick, “yet this tax is a penalty on a man because he has a family. If the proposal wero carried out, there would be a reduction in revenue, of course, but it would bo well worth while if it provided only a slight inducement toward bigger families. The man with a family has more things to buy for the house, so lie pays taxation over and over again.”

Mr. T. J. Priest recalled that the union had tried to havo some system like that now suggested adopted during the depression. It had then been pointed out that, as the methods of collecting income-tax and unemployment tax were different, such a proposal would be difficult. The man with a family was certainly penalised, although ho was allowed a bigger wage on sustenance.

Mr. C. R. Edgecombe said he thought tho proposal should be supported. “I am afraid I do not know where to find tl. families of five or six mentioned by other speakers, but we ’ll live in hopes,” ho said.