TAXATION CONTROL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26792, 8 June 1948, Page 6

TAXATION CONTROL

Sir, —Recently the newly-crowned “ king " of New Zealand told his subjects that taxation was a great levelling process distributing the national income equitably and justly among us simple folk, indicating clearly thrft there was no hope of a reduction while he had any say in the matter, and as the people nave no real representation in Parliament they will have to growl and pay. At Mr Algie’s meeting at St. Kilda, to the. surprise of many he practically suoported the same thing in different words. He said he would like to say they should reduce taxation, but explained that if reduced by half inflation would be worse on the restricted supply of goods, etc. available, and we must have a great increase in production before there can be any cuts in. taxation. This is a strange statement to make, for I am sure he and most people who think must realise that it is the heavy tax on extra production that is restricting it all over the world at present. It looks as if the two parties are very united in their intention to retain the most efficient control force known, taxation over the peopls. while they divide them on trivial issues such as tram strikes, co-operation, bonus payments, and'Communism. I wonder.—l am, etc.. John Stephens.