MAKE THEM ALL PAY

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1038, 31 July 1930, Page 13

MAKE THEM ALL PAY

CONCERNS EXEMPT FROM TAXATION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PROTEST “There is no reason why the Power Board and other similar concerns which interfere with private enterprise should not be subject to the imposition of rates and taxes.” This opinion was held by Mr. A. G. Lunn at a meeting of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce this morning, when a report was brought down from the Vigilance Committee recommending that the council protest strongly against the exemptions from certain taxes and duties enjoyed by municipal and State trading enterprises and power boards. Income-tax, land-tax, and stamp duty were mentioned in the report, which stated that two Royal Commissions in New* Zealand had already recommended that these enterprises should bo put on an equal footing to the privately owned concerns. The Economic Congress for the League of Nations made a similar recommendation, and the associated chambers of commerce in New Zealand - had also made representations- to the Government to the same effect in the past. ‘‘The vigilance committee is strongly of the opinion that another protest should be made at this time, wheu taxation is being increased, as it considers that the present is a time when the basis of taxation should be broadened by including sources of revenue which have hitherto been exempt.” concludes the report, which was adopted by the council.