THE WAR TAXATION.

Timaru Herald, Volume CIII, Issue 15743, 30 August 1915, Page 4

THE WAR TAXATION.

CUSTOMS DUTIES IX FORCE. BILLS REQUIRED FOR OTHER TAXES. (FSOXI OdQ tiPEOLiL CORRESPONDENT.)

The fact that the extra, taxation charges outlined in the Budget, with tho exception of tho increased Customs duties, will not take effect until authorising legislation has been passed bv I'ailianient, with respect to tho proposed additional charges, does not appear to be generally understood. The position was made clear by the -Minister lor Finance, Sir ,J. (•. Ward, in replying on Friday afternoon to a question by Dr. A. K. Newman (Wellington Kast>. :>ir .los. Ward stated that no extra (barges were yet in lone with the exception of the new Customs duties. The torm::l resolutions respecting «llich wore agreed to by the Mouse on Thursday night. In the matter of tho other extra charges, including post and telegraph and stamp increase, and extra direct taxation, legislation would have to be passed by Parliament before thoy would come into operation. in tho meantime the present charges would remain. lie would intimate publicly when the neve charges would come into operation so that no one would be misled.

The Minister for Finance stated thatlie was not yet able to say how many Bills-would be necessary in order to give effect to tho new proposals. It was possible, ho said, that more than ono of the proposals might be combined in one Bill.

The new railway charges, Sir Joseph Ward added, would not require legislation, as there was existing power under the Hailways Act to bring the alteration into operation by Gazette notice, which would appear in due course. A Customs Bill would be introduced to give the necessary effect to the resolutions already agreed to. The increased Customs duties of course came into forco at once, but if any amendments are made by Parliament in the proposals in this' respect tho payment made in tho meantime by importers will be adjusted in tho usual way. POSTAL CHARGES. SPECIAL WAR. TAX STAMP. In regard to tho increased postal charge of a halt' penny wliicli forms part of the budget proposal, Sir Jos. \Yard, who is Postmaster-General as well as Minister for Finance., states that it is intended to issuo a special war tax half-penny stump, and thus to keep it distinct from the ordinary penny postage, tho principle of which will not be in any way disturbed. When the occasion for tho extra postage has passed the use of the special war stamp can be discontinued.

Sir .1 oseph "Ward states that he is not able to say whether the extra, postal charge will be fully adaptable to the use ot the stamp vending machines now in operation. The franking machines in offices will probably continue to bo available for use under the new system. However, nil matters of detail havo not yet, been determined by the Postal Department.