THE NEW TAXES.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 September 1915, Page 8

THE NEW TAXES.

CRITICISM BY NEW PLYMOUTH MERCHANTS. THE FARiMER v PENALISED. , The new taxes, and particularly the increased duty on kerosene, were the subject of a short discussion at the meeting of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce last night. C, H. Burgeus protested against the duty on kerosene. It did not matter to the wholesale men, as they could get it out of the public, wheroas if the duty had only been one per cent, tie wholesale people would not have been able 'to do this. He objected to the statements made that the public .were being exploited. The Vacuum Oil Company had told, its clients throughout the Dominion that it was prepared to dispose of its stock of kerosene .aft' the old rate and this Was being done. The public would have the benefit of the stocks of kerosene by purchasing at the old rate. A difficulty, however, would arise next week, when a steamer would reach New Zealand with a large cargo of kerosene which would have to carry the new duty, and this new stock would be on the market with the old stock, and merchants would Ibe compelled to sell at the old rate.

Mr. Newton King pointed out that benzine and kerosene were used in great quantities by the farmers, and they would keenly feel the increased cost. A few years ago it would not have affected the farmers so much, as there were only a few machines on farms, but now there were hundreds of machines in use everywhere. He could not see why a tax had not been put on cigarettes. He was a cigarette smoker himself, but cigarettes were luxuries, while kerosene was a necessity, He would also suggest a heavier tax on wiiisk.n It was the small farmer who would feel the duty, as he had machines 'which had to be fed with benzine. Mr. F. S. Johns declared the Government had set out to exploit certain classes of the community, and it was certainly exploiting the merchants. He thought that in these times of stress and war each class should carry its quota of the burden. It was not the farmer who was making a lot of money who would feel the duty, but the small farmer—the laboring farmer. The man in the country had to use kerosene for lighting purposes, whereas the working men in the towns would not be affected as they had the benefit of electric light. Mr. King emphasised that the farmer was forced to go in for more machines because his sons, had gone to the war, and now he was penalised while his sons fought and died for us.

Mr. Paton asked what it would be proposed to tax in place of kerosene or benzine. \

Mr. King: There arc thousands of tilings. Tax the luxuries. Mr. Johns suggested a tax on. sugar, which would touch everyone. A small tax ou sugar would produce a quarter of a million sterling. Mr. King did not agree with the idea. The cost of living had increased a great deal and \vage3 had not riseu in proportion. An increase in sugar would touch ihe working man. The producer ■was the man the Government .should get at, and an export tax would provide the means of doing so. Mr. Kinp.referred to the .taxation on larid, which he thought was very peculiar. The idea was to jjot at "the people who Were making money, fcut the proposals enabled many people who were making money to escape taxation. The man who leased his farm liad to pay double. An export tax was the only, reasonable tax. Mr. King added: ''lt will take about a dozen chartered accountants to find out what a farmer's income is, and I don't think they'll find it out then." It was resolved: "That in the opinion of this Chamber no duty should have been imposed upon motor spirits and kerosene." It was decided to send copies of the resolution to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance, Mr. H. Okey, M.P.. and the executive of the New Zealand Chambers of Commerce. Messrs J. and J. Auld, nearest the Post Office, notify their customers that business will be carried on in their spacious n«w showrooms at the back of the Bhop dozing tie replswlng and modtiaWi&g «f