THE HUTT BY-ELECTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20438, 14 December 1929, Page 14

THE HUTT BY-ELECTION.

SPEECH BY MR. COATES.

ANALYSIS OF TAXATION.

BURDEN CARRIED BY WEALTHY. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] WELLINGTON. Friday. Tho Empire Theatre at Pefono was crowded to the doors last evening, whon tho Leader of tho Opposition, tho Right Hon. J. G. Coates, delivered an address in support of tho candidature of Mr. 11. F. Johnston for Hutt in tho Reform interests. Although Mr. Coates was allowed to get through his speech and to make his points he was subjected to a considerable amount of noisy interruption from a largo hostile section at tho back x)f tho hall, but the majority of thoso present appeared to bo favourably disposed toward him. Mr. Johnston arrived at 9.30 and spoke for about 20 minutes to tho accompaniment of a loud din, most of his remarks being inaudible, in spito of the fact that ho practically had to shout his remarks. A vote of thanks and confidence was put to tho meeting at the close, and was declared carried, but tho uproar on the part of the opponents of tho Reform Party, as well as loud cheering by the supporters of Mr. Johnston, mado it impossible to determine exactly what tho meeting thought of tho motion. "Reform Not Out." On Mr. Coates' arrival he was greeted with loud cheers and applause. He commenced his speech by emphasising the noed of bringing about better relations between capital and labour. A Voice: Reform is well out. "May I say that Reform is not well out," said Mr. Coates. Another Voico: It ought to be. Mr. Coates: I think even that is open to argument. Reform ought to bo in if you consider the best interests of tho peoplo of the country. Serious pcoplo thought that. This fight is not a light— A Voice: It is a Cakewalk. "It is not a fight between the Labour I'arty and the United Party," proceeded Mr. Coates. "It is a fight between Labour and tho Reform Party." An Interjcctor: 1 don't think you will pay a dividend. Mr. Coates: We will pay,you a dividend if you take tho proper course. The Payers of Taxation. Mr. Coates quoted figures and submitted that it was misleading and ridiculous for Mr. Nash, the Labour candidate, to say that tho burden of taxation was taken off the wealthy class and placed on the shoulders of the whole, people, including tho poorer sections, through an increase of customs duties, and that the result was that the wealthy class now paid only £3.-000,000 out of the £24,'000,000 taxation levied. A Voice: Wo believe him.

Mr. Coafcs said the amount of taxation levied was not £24,000,000, but £17,000,000. Mr. Nasli had been confusing the total revenue with the revenue obtained by taxation. .Over £7,000,000 of the revenue was derived from railways, post and telegraph and payments of interest by workers and settlors who had received State advances. Mr. Nash's statement about £3,000.000 being collected by taxation from tho well-to-do. was incorrect, the actual" amount being £12,500,000; made up as follows: Land tax, £1,150.000; income tax, £3,270,000; death duties, £1,900,000; and about 70 per cent, of customs duties on articles purchased by tho well-to-do, £6,180,000. The amount of taxation, paid by tho was more than four times the figure given by Mr. Nash, who had been misleading. "Swallowed Seventy Millions."

"Tlio peoplo swallowed (lie 70 millions—boots, stock, lock and barrel;** said Mr. Coates. "They were so gullible (hat (hey swallowed something for nothing, and what did tliey Ret?" A Voice: Indigestion. Another Interjector: They got rid of you. Mr. Goates later came to the question of co-operation between capital and labour for the good of industry. "There is no short cut to prosperity," be said. "We want co-operation, "to make the country prosperous." "Too late! Too late," suggested a dismal voice amid laughter. "Oh, no," replied Mr. Coates. "You will find ■ that the. people will yet turn to the men who initiated the scheme of 'get. together.' "