NEW TAX IN MAY

Taranaki Daily News, 24 March 1932, Page 5

NEW TAX IN MAY

PROVISIONS OF, THE BILL FINANCE FOR FARM SCHEME PAYMENT OF SUSTENANCE DOCKET SYSTEM PROPOSED LEVY ON WOMEN'S INCOME By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Unemployment Amendment Bill makes provision for tjie settlement of unemployed men and their families on areas of cultivable lands and for the alleviation of the distress resulting from unemployment by affording to these persons an opportunity by the cultivation of land to provide in part for their own sustenance. If the persons so assisted are unable to provide adequate sustenance for themselves and families they may receive sustenance allowances out of the unemployment fund in accordance with Section 26 of the Unemployment Act (1930), or may be provided with necessities in accordance with Section 13 of the amending Bill. An alternative proposal made by the Bill is that money may bo spent from the unemployment fund for the purchase of food, clothing or other necessities for the benefit of persons qualified to receive a sustenance allowance under Section 20 of the principal Act, for the benefit of persons employed on relief works, or for the benefit of their families or other dependants. The board may purchase' supplies of food, clothing or other necessities and arrange for their distribution, or it may arrange for the issue to qualified persons of dockets which will be exchangeable for such necessities in accordance with prescribed conditions. These dockets will be redeemed by the board by payment out of the unemployment fund, AGREEMENT WITH LAND-OWNER'S. Dealing with the question of the acquisition of suitable lands for settlement -by the unemployed, the Bill authorises the Minister, acting on the recommendation of the Unemployment Board, to enter into agreements with the owners or occupiers for the occupation and' cultivation of areas by unemployed. This agreement may provide for occupation of land by any persons approved by the Unemployment Board either with or without formal license to occupy, and for the erection of any dwellings or other improvements. The lands to which this section refers

include private lands, areas vested in or administered by the Crown or a Department of the State or by local bodies. Where in any case the board is unable to enter into an agreement for the occupation of any suitable land, the land may be acquired by the Crown, under the Public Works Act or the Lande for Settlement Act. All moneys payable in respect of the acquisition of land in this manner shall be paid out of the moneys available for the purpose. IMPROVEMENTS MAY BE MADE. In order to make lands available for occupation, the Minister, on the recom-

mendation of the board, may order the erection of buildings and the provision of water, light, drainage and other necessities. Any buildings or other improvements may be at any time removed without liability for the payment of compensation to the owner of the land or any other person. All moneys required for the purposes of this section of the Bill up to £500,000 may be paid out of the public account. Any additional expenditure must be appropriated by Parliament.

The Bill deals with the new basis of unemployment finance indicated in the Minister’s statement to the House. The clause in the principal Act providing for a £1 for £1 subsidy from the Consolidated Fund on the board’s expenditure is repealed.

The increase in the emergency unemployment charge from Id. in every 6s. Bd. to 3d. in every ss. will operate from May 1, 1932. It is provided that by Order-in-Council the rate of the emergency charge may be reduced if the proceeds are found to be more than sufficient to meet reasonable requirements of the unemployment fund.

The emergency charge was limited by last year’s legislation to July 31, 1932, but it is now proposed to extend liability for the tax indefinitely. The emergency charge imposed an resipeot of income other than salary or -wages derived for the year ended March 31 shall be payable by equal instalments on the first day of the months of May, August, November and February. Section 15 of last year’s act defining the liability of women for the payment of the emergency charge is repealed. That section made women with incomes of £250 a year and over derived from sources other than wages or salary liable to charges. It is now proposed to include women with such incomes exceeding £2O. The board may on the ground of hardship exempt any person from liability to pay the emergency unemployment charge.