High Tax Burden In Australia

Northern Advocate, 18 February 1946, Page 4

High Tax Burden In Australia

( P.A.' WELLINGTON. This Day. Australia is now a hive of industry. Factories are working to full capacity, but still fretting under the burden of taxation, said the president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce (Mr. W. H Hindle), who has just returned from a month’s visit.

He noted significant developments in Australia’s export of manufactured goods and spoke of the keen interest being shown in New Zealand's social security legislation and housing matters. Mr. Hindle said that as far as taxation was concerned the position in Australia was similar to that in New Zealand. High taxation was the burden of industry and its lowering was one of the most important things to be undertaken at the earliest possible moment. “They recognise over there, as we do here, that without full scope and reward for initiative, enterprise flags.” he said, "and when enterprise flags the standard of living falls. GREATEST GOOD “It is incomprehensible why Governments do noi realise that the greatest good for the greatest number is bound up with low taxation. There is an insistent call in Australia for the removal of controls and restrictions. “There must be full recognition that if the people, particularly returned servicemen, are to be absorbed into gainful employment, private enterprise must be given the fullest opportunity to develop.

“While the lowering of taxation is an urgent necessity, it is difficult to see how this can be achieved unless high Government spending is curtailed. For instance, in Australia it has been decided to make a uniform railway gauge at a cost of £230.000.000 spread over seven years. This is only one of the many projects that will run into millions of money.

“If the people demand amenities, imprevements and costly conveniences, they cannot at the same time have a lowering of taxation."