Mr C. A. Wilkinson Speaks

Northern Advocate, 29 July 1938, Page 4

Mr C. A. Wilkinson Speaks

THE Budget debate so far has not been particularly edifying, but here and there a speaker has contrived to inject some originality and novelty into a discussion mainly conspicuous for the reiteration of electioneering topics. One such speaker was Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, M.P. for Egmont, who is always worth hearing. A man of independent thought, Mr. Wilkinson is a successful businessman in his private life. In public life, though many people are unaware of the fact, he has a special claim to attention through the fact that he, more than any one member of the House, was responsible for the adoption of 6 o’clock closing as a permanency instead of purely a wartime measure. According to Mr. Wilkinson, the present Government has “run amok’’ as far as taxation is concerned, and he suggests that a statue should be erected to honour the New. Zealand taxpayer as one capable of shouldering heavier burdens than any other taxpayer in the world. Since 1928, Mr. Wilkinson points out, per capita taxation has risen from £l2 17s. 7d. to £23 Is. 3d. this year. The amount levied per head has risen by nearly £9 since 1936. Such figures give Government spokesmen little ground for claiming that taxation has not been increased. It is indeed true, as Mr Wilkinson says, that a policy of extracting so much from the taxpayer is full of danger, and must have a disastrous effect on private enterprise. Another matter touched on by this member, in his speech on Wednesday evening, was the “country quota,” which for many years has been an integral part of New Zealand’s electoral system. Giving, in effect, rural areas slightly greater voting strength than urban areas, it was designed to create a balance between the two sections of the community, and in view of New Zealand’s complete dependence on farming production it cannot be said that the policy was not a wise one, or that it has failed in its object. Mr. Wilkinson appears to suspect, however', that the Government may contemplate doing away with the country quota in order to lessen the possibility of its being defeated by an adverse vote throughout the country constituencies. . Any such action would involve a recasting and enlargement of many electorates, and could not be done before the coming elections. If its majority were whittled down this year, the Government might be tempted to do away with the country quota, but to do so -would be highly improper unless the proposal had previously been enunciated as a plank in its policy, '