COST OF THE WAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15684, 11 August 1914, Page 5

COST OF THE WAR.

SPECIAL TAXATION.

AUCKLAND CITIZENS' VIEWS,

The question as to what would be (lie best means of assisting the New Zealand Government in the present crisis was discussed at the meeting of citizens held in the Town Hall yesterday.

V::. J. H. Upton expressed the opinion that it. would be ft good idea to ask the Government to double the income tax for the year. This would mean that everyone would have to put their hands deep into their pockets, and they could in this way help the Government enormously. (Hear, hear.)

Mr. Wesley Spragg said that a suggestion to double the income tax would come well from the meeting at this juncture. Ho urged Mr Upton to move a motion in that direction.

Mr. H. B. Morton said that he had conferred with Mr. Upton on the subject, and would be glad to move a resolution making it a recommendation to the Government that the income tax be doubled.

Mr. H. Ilorton thought the meeting should consider how far-reaching the cffect of such a proposal would be. The fact should not be lost sight of that the tax would be retrospective. Mr. Upton said that, while he had just put liis name down on the Mayor's list for £100, lie did not imagine for a moment that he was going to get off with £100, or several hundreds. If they all got off by paying double the income tax they would be able to thank God for it. This was no Boer war, but the greatest Military upheaval the world had ever known, and it would not be paid for without sacrifice.

Mr. Horton moved an amendment, recommending the Government to impose a special war tax. He said that the war tax could be collected immediately, whereas the income tax would not be collected till February. Moreover, the special tax would reach the wholo community.

Mr. J. H. Jackson seconded the amendment.

Mr. Upton said lie quite agreed with what Mr. Ilorton hid said. Roth motion and amendment were the same, only tliey were in different forms.

The Mayor said he had no doubt the Government would impose any necessary taxation it thought fit. Mr. T. Peacock suggested that both ,the motion and amendment should be withdrawn, as he considered the Government could be depended upon to deal with such a matter in its own time.

Mr. Upton: All think that the Government will do its best, but surely a large meeting of this kind can express its opinion and say 'something to encourage the Government. (Applause.) Let us pass either the resolution or the amendment. It does not matter which.

Finally the resolution and amendment woro altered to read as one motion as follows" That this meeting of citizens recommend the Government to take immediate steps to increase tho income tax or to impose a special war tax to provide fund,? to meet the present crisis." This was carried unanimously.