DOMINION TAXATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18051, 28 March 1922, Page 6

DOMINION TAXATION.

MEETING BURDENS OF WAR.

STABILITY OF THE COUNTRY.

STATEMENT BY MR. MASSEY.

Reference to the subject of taxation was made by Mr. Massey during the course of his remarks at the Commercial Travellers' Club last evening. Mr. Massey said the Government was sometimes asked to reduce taxation and ho admitted that the burden was enormous, aud !ihe first duty of the Government would bo to reduce it, but it had to meet its liabilities. He had no desire to indulge is party politics, but there were a lot of people who were whining about the increased taxation and the burdens they had to carry, but when the Government proposed to out down the cost of running the country these people tried to prevent it in every way in their power. ' They won't prevent us from doing our duty," said Mr. Massey. "We know what a good country we are living in and we are going to do our very best for it and for the Empire." (Applause.) Mr. Massey said he did not think the country had got over its difficulties and troubles yet, and the people would liavo to make up their minds to see things through. They must learn to help themselves. He had only to refer them to the importance of the exports that had gone out of the country hi the last nino months and of the change in the prices of our produce within tho last three months, for them to know that conditions were improving. If the people were industrious the country would be able to carry the burdens left by the war. He was sure that no k al man would suggest that New Zealand should repudiate ite responsibilities, and he assured those present that the country would* meet interest and sinking fund on its war debts, provide for the returned soldiers, and at the same time finance the Government's other undertakings.