TAXATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3338, 6 March 1918, Page 36

TAXATION.

APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSION URGED. " At our annual meeting some six months ago the chamber urged upon the Government to net up a Royal Commission with a view of investigating and reporting upon the most equitable system cf taction, in order that this country mignt n-.< et 'ts heavy financial burdens in such a manner as would not inflict undue injury upon any industry or persons,"- said Mr C. H.. Hewlett at the quarterly meeting of the Canterlu'iy Chamber of Commerce on Thursday. 'Although some six months had now passed, he continued, nothing had been done. The- Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance woidd shortly be off to England, after floating _ another large loan, and it appeared not improbable that history might repeat itself a'nd'that upon the return from England of tho Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance Parliament might b a called upon to. discuss hug.? taxation proposals at short notice without any systematic attempt being made to solve the problem by getting the advice of the best brains in the community, -in the shape of a Royal Commission, and that the anomalies of the past might be accentuated in the future. chamber should make a determined effort to have the taxation of the country thoroughly investigated from a view of changing it from a political into a sound economic system. Unless this were done tho future commerce and tiade of the dominion would be seriously _ handicapped. This meeting should again make representations to -the Government on this subject, unu not allow k to drop. Mr C. H. Enior referred to the method of levying taxation on landowners, and complained that farmers were unjustly treated in that mortgages were not exempt from taxation. A man whose real equity in a farm amounted to £IOOO m. ; ght have to pay land tax on £7OOO. The president said the chamber at last annual meeting lvid pr-oosed the appointment of a Roy.sl Commission on taxation. The Government had replied that the matter would "jocoivo consideration.'' It was decided <o reafSrns 'die resolution of the annual moving, and to urge the Government to at once give a oefihite reply on the subject.