TE ARO ADVANCEMENT

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11932, 12 September 1924, Page 5

TE ARO ADVANCEMENT

PUBLICITY AND TAXES HEAVY TAXATION MEANS LESS BUSINESS EXPANSION. “ADVERTISE NEW ZEALAND.” Publicity work abroad, in regard to New Zealand, and taxation were the two topics touched upon in a brief address given by Mr A. ’P. Harper, seoretary of the Welfare league, -to members of the Te Aro Ad-vancement-Association at their monthly luncheon yesterday,-at which: the presi-dent,--Mr A. A. George, presided. ORGANISED PUBLICITY. Mr Harper said it was apparent to all how necessary it was that there should he organised publicity work done in other countries of the world with regard to New Zealand. Those who had travelled the world knew best how absolutely necessary this was, for there was no system in advertising the Dominion abroad-. Tourists were a tremendous source of revenue to New Zealand, or to any country, for it was estimated that no tourist left less than £2OO to £3OO behind him. This Dominion had scenic assets equal to anything in the world, even in Norway or Switzerland. Speaking of an exhibition -'in which were eeveraLNew Zealand exhibits, the ■speaker said .the specimens shown were obtained on personal grounds, and nothing was provided by the Government. The Chamber of Commerce was at present sepjiing. the ,Government’s support for a publicity scheme, which, if properly organised and systematically aeamed-oat, would do the fewness community *a'"lAßiu«BltHig'’Winonnt~t>f good SURPLUS TO EXTEND BUSINESS. Speaking on the question of taxation, Mr Harper said that few were taxed so heavily as to alter their mode of living, -but surplus income nsually went back into the business. If the surplus wpjat out in rates, and taxes, then there was nothing to carry on and strengthen the business. Rating bodies had greatly increased instead of decreasing, and they did not always spend money wisely. Business men were apt to criticise Parliament, the councils, and other bodies, but they should offer themselves for election and take some part in the work. Publia expenditure was growing rapidly, meaning the necessity of imposing more fates, and there was the fact that some of these public enterprises competed with private businesses. These introduced unfair competition, for •while the man had his own money h the business, some publio enterprises were run at a loss, and the public had to pay. He thought business men should take a larger interest and a greater share in public life, for until they- did they would be faced with heavy rates and taxation to maintain high, and sometimes wasteful, expenditure.