Patea & Waverley Press FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 1929 MORE TAXATION.

Patea Mail, Volume L, 9 August 1929, Page 2

Patea & Waverley Press FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 1929 MORE TAXATION.

THE/title “Wizard of. Finance,” wlueli has so frequently been bestowed on the Prime Minister, is one that we have always held to be undeserved.' A “-wizard” is generally understood to be a person possessed of magical powers, who is able to accomplish something that the average individual is unable to do. Sir Joseph Ward —by his recent Budget—has shown himself to be anything but a wizard in regard to his ' proposals concerning the finances of this, country. As a matter of fact, his proposals to obtain the necessary increased revenue by doubling the primage duty and increasing the land taxation are what one could expect from the “Minister of Finance” in the Mock Parliament of a village debating society. Having been connected with the finances of this country for so many years, and having occupied a seat in Parliament right up to the. last general election, Sir Joseph Ward —had he been as great an authority on the finances of this -country as his admirers would like one to believe—would have had the financial requirements of the country at his fingers’ ends and would - have been prepared with, a policy that ivould have assisted materially in furtheringthe -welfare and prosperity of the country. The opportunity was his, and it-was. for .him to show his ability as a financier by grappling ivith the position in an expert and statesmanlike manner. This Avas far from being the case, however, for, in addition to finding no solution of the difficulty of making ends meet, other than that Avhich could have been found by the youngest member of the 1 House, he Avent out of his way, to make a blunder with regard tothe Avork of his predecessor in office that Avas as stupid as.it was inexcusable for one who had ever had charge of the finances of this country. Mr. Downie Stewart, acting, as always, in the best interests of the Dominion, immediately he learned from the result of the elections, that he Avould be unable to retain office, deliberately forbore to enter into any binding arrangements Avith regard to the country’s finance in the immediate future, so as not to embarrass his successor. There is no question Avhatsoever that had Sir Joseph Ward knoAvn /as much about the finances of this coilntry as his admirers imagined, he Avould have been aware of this action on his predecessor’s part and should have commended him accordingly instead of making his absurd accusations against him: The proposals for increased taxation as outlined in the first Budget of the United Party are in marked, contrast to the proposals and promises put forward by the party ' prior to the last general election. A manifesto that Avas issued broadcast a few days before the poll bears a photograph of Sir Joseph Ward at the head and underneath are these significant Avords:—Sir Joseph says: “The United Party’s policy will give Ngav Zealand’s people £70,000,000 more capital Avithout one penny additional taxation, direct or indirect.” Then it goes on to say: “The policy Avil 1 result in cheap fiinanee, small holdings, prosperity of centres, completion of railways, Customs-free imported foodstuffs, lower taxation, freedom of trade Avithout Government interference, discouragement of State trading, no foolish, expensive, non-productive undertakings, employment for all, prosperity and happiness.” In view of the proposal put forward by Sir Joseph to increase the primage 'duty and land taxation the feelings of those people who were

induced to support United Party candidates on the strength of “lower taxation and Customs-free imported foodstuffs” can Avell be imagined. The “Wizard of Finance” has been given his opportunity and has signally failed and he Avill probably find that having touched the,electors in a very sensitive spot—to Avit, their pockets —there will be a very different story to tell Avhen the next.election takes place. , .