TAXATION AND LAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20087, 26 October 1928, Page 16

TAXATION AND LAND.

GOVERNMENT ASSAILED.

ATTACK BY MR. JENKINS

PLANS TO ASSIST SETTLERS

A gathering of 600 people gave Mr. 11. R. Jenkins, tlie United Party's candidate for Parnell. an enllnisinstic reception at his opening ince«ng in tlio Reniuera Library Hall last evening. The hall was crowded, a number of people being forced <o stand around the walls, while others were unable to gain admission. At the conclusion of his address tho candidate was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence, three cheers being also given. " I am more of a business man than a politician," said Mr. Jenkins, in opening his address. "The Government is (he greatest and most varied business we have, therefore you requiro men with varied experience. This T claim to have, as a farmer, a merchant and a manufacturer. My reason for attempting to represent you is that I have followed the advice of the Hon. W. Downio Stewart. When speaking fo the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, he urged young men to conic out arid serve their country. I was a Reform supporter, but have now decided that a cliango of Government is necessary." Reducing Cost of Living. The most urgent matter requiring attention was a reduction in the. cost of living, which could be best brought about by a redistribution of taxation, so that the mail who could pay did pay. In 1915 the tariff revenue was C 0.000,000 or 29 per cent, of the total revenue; to-day it was £9.000.000. or 51 per cent. The poorer and moderate-salaried people were paying more than their fair share. The fairest way to levy taxation was on income, but the Reform Government had repealed the tax en incomes derived from land, relieving 2064 of the biggest squatters of £221,000 in taxation. Settlement of Land.

The tax on incomes up to .£2OO had been increased, but it was reducccl between tlie £IO.OOO and £IOO,OOO limits, relieving 237 taxpayers of £1.327,000 in taxes. This amount was made up in increased customs tariffs. The import duty on flour and company taxation should also bo repealed. The United Party favoured an adjustment of both the customs tariff and income tax, so that the burden was placed on those best fitted to hear it. Turning to land settlement, the candidate said the Government had failed to show an appreciation of the problem. The present Minister of Lands was temperamentally unsuited to the post. The soldier settlement policy had proved a failure, as the land had been bought too dearly and frequently the grants made were eaten up in the initial expenditure, leaving no money to buy stock or implements. Even after this failure, the Government had not learned by experience, but had made the To Wera purchase. Over 60,000 immigrants had been induced to come into the country, pre sumabiy to settle on the land, but there was no Government settlement scheme. These people had drifted into the cities and had swelled the ranks of the unemployed. It was admitted the country needful immigrants, as if the doors were kept shut they would be forced open by an undesirable type of immigrant, but to sottlo them on the land required finance. Assisting the Settlers. Following Sir Joseph Ward's scheme to borrow money to finance settlers, the United Party proposed to subdivide first the unoccupied Crown lands into areas that would keep a family in comfort when fully improved. It would not only give the land, but would find capital for buildings and to keep the man on the land employed until the property became selfsupporting, paying him wages if necessary. Interest and sinking fund would be charged over a long period until the property was paid for. Before building new railways such as the Taupo line tho United Party would endeavour to bring into cultivation the land at present lying idle adjoining existing railways. There were 300,000 acres of practically unimproved land lying alongside the railway between Auckland and Hamilton. In other countries swamp land had been successfully brought into occupation by extensive draining and intensive working.

" It has been tragic to see how the present Government has carried out the various public works," continued the candidate. The engineers' estimate for the construction of the hydro-electric works at Mangahao had been £438,000, and this was voted by Parliament and the work was put in hand. Tho cost to date had been £2,642.000, while another £75,000 had been placed on the Estimates, and the work was not, yet completed. "The United Party realise (hero is something wrong and that is why 1 am here to-night." Supporter of Prohibition. The petrol tax and other taxes on motorists had produced over £1,000.000. which was now lying idle when men wero begging for work. As a body of business men, the United Party would see that this kind of administration wan done away with. The Reform Government was incompetent from the head downwards. Tho country had a bureaucratic Government, and an indication of departmental influence was the fact that out of the local expenditure of "i*}?. 000,000 by the State, £31,000,000 was not subject to the annual appropriation, and £11,000,000 of this was spent by various departments without being submitted (o Parliament in the. Estimates. When Sir Joseph Ward was Minister ol Finance the total amount was only £14.000,000 In this respect the Auditor-General's report drew attention to the large proportion of expenditure which diil not come before the llouso, staling that the principle of Par liamentary control by appropriation was being seriously weakened. Smaller Parliament. Although Reform took the credit for doubling the value of exports, the credit was due to the tanner, who had increased productivity, and to the betterment m prices Valuations had been increased to give security when loans were being floated on the London market, and assets had been written up to give an appear ao'-e of stability Answering questions at the close of Ins address Mr Jenkins said lie was iji favour of prohibition, a two-issue ballot paper, and tho bare majority. He would vote with Laboui to put Iteform out of nliiec

Asked whether he favoured a reduction in the number of civil servants, the van didate said he would like to see the nuni hei of memliius of Parliament reduced and the Legislative Council halved and made an elective body Regarding land Cor .settlement, the candidate said he would open unoccupied land rather than take ovei land which was at present producing When there was no further suitable unoccupied land the large estates could be cut up for closer settlement.

UNITED PARTY ATTACKED

MR. OSBORNE'S CRITICISM. •The nflicial Labour candidate for YVaite mala, Mr. A. G. Osborne, • addressed a crowded meeting in the Masonic Hall, Xortlicote, last, evening. Mr. A. lv Greenslade, Mayor of Northcote, presided. The candidate said the Labour Party was the only one definitely opposed to the Reform Government. The United candidate foi Waitcnfata was appealing for the woi king class voter, by savin" lie would vote with Labour to oust Reform, vet. Messrs. \ eitcli and Seddoii declared they would vote with Reform lo keep Labour from the Treasury benelies Tins showed the disunity of the United Party. A vote uf thanks and confidence was accorded.