THE TAXATION SYSTEM

Southland Times, Issue 19510, 9 May 1922, Page 5

THE TAXATION SYSTEM

MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE. PRELIMINARIES SETTLED. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 8. The committee appointed to consider taxation anomalies, which will make recommendations to the Government prior to the introduction of new legislation next session, opened its sittings in Wellington. The Prime Minister was present at the opening of the proceedings. The members of the committee are as follows: —Representing Chambers of Commerce—Mejssit' Edward Anderson, accountant, Auckland; Walter Jow, hardware merchant, Dunedin; W. D. Hunt, Wright, Stephenson and C-0., Wellington. Representing the Farmers’ Union—• Messrs E. A. Campbell, farmer, Wanganui.; A. Leigh Hunt, Wellington; J. Bitchener, M_ P. Waitaki. Representing the Sheepowners and Farmers’ Federation— W. Barton, farmer, Featherston: Bernard Tripp, South Canterbury. Representing law and accountants—Messrs T.S. Weston, barrister, Wellington; and E. W. Hunt, Wellington. Mr D. J. Clark, Commissioner of Taxes, will be present throughout the sittings, and -Mr W. H. Phillips, of the Tax Department, is secretary. Mr W. D. Hunt was selected chairman. After discussion a sub-committee was appointed to draft an outline of the work to be undertaken by the committee. This sub-committee reported as follows: That the functions of the committee are to inquire into (1) The taxation of the Dominion of New Zealand in all its aspects. (2) The effect of existing burdens of taxation upon the general prosperity of the Dominion and the directions of charge, if any, that are necessary or desirable in the interests of this country. (3) For the purposes of the above the Committee will require information from Government departments as to the revenue and expenditure for each year since 1913, and also the system of taxation in force in other English speaking countries. The Committee will hear considered evidence and suggestions from representatives of producing, industrial, and labour organisations and other classes of taxpayers. The report was adopted by the whole Committee, and was approved of by the Prime Minister. In order to give time for the preparation of evidence by organisations desiring to give it, and also for the preparation of information required by the Committee, it was decided to adjourn on Tuesday evening until Tuesday, May 23, at 10 a.m.