WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, Issue 15157, 17 February 1922, Page 5

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

FINANCE AND TAXATION. CALL FOR BUSINESS OVERHAUL. (Special Correspondent.) WELLINGTON,, Feb. 15. Both tho Dominion and the Evening Post in their reviews of the work of the session deplore the failure of the Government to appoint a commission of independent experts to overhaul the public finances and the taxation system of the country. "It is much to be regretted,” the Dominion says, “that Parliament has dispersed without providing for the exhaustive review of the incidence of taxation that can only be made by a competent commission. Such a commission, consisting of mien well versed -in the financial business and industrial affairs of the Dominion, would be able to throw invaluable light upon some of the most urgent problems of the day, and to assist the Government and Parliament not a little in their still far from completed task of setting tho public finances in order. In view of the heavy continuing demands that must be made upon tho taxpayers of tho Dominion, it is extremely inadvisable that an investigation which would pave the way for a sound readjustment of taxation, even though this could be only gradually effected, should be delayed.” This from a consistently friendly critic of the Government shows how strong is the local feeling that the Prime Minister should seek the assistance of skilled experts in solving the intricate economic problems by which ho is confronted. AN URGENT NEED.

Tho Evening Post is equally cm phatic in its demand for speedy action on the part of tho Government. “Tho omission to provide for the investigation of the incidence o' taxation by an expert Commission cnlii’cly independent of Ministerial influence or political colour is,” it declares, after referring to the postponement of certain legislative measures, “a matter for still deeper regret. In its own interests the Government should go thoroughly into tho question during tho recess. In its retrenchment scheme a good start has been made with what may be called the negative side of public economy; but tho present com- 1 bination of high taxation, and declining revenue is a sufficiently serious matter to demand a much wider extension of the work of reform.” Tho local papers are expressing a view held very strongly by financial and business people l'n this community, who through their proximity to' the governing and .administrative machines enjoy very special opportunities for gauging tho effect and significance of their operations. Wellington may lay many a flattering unction to its commercial soul, but in the matter; of politics it has an intimate know ledge and a close insight tho other centres cannot possess.

ECONOMY AND EFFICIENCY. The question of taxation has been receiving vei’y earnest attention from Wellington business men during the last few months, not only as it effects themselves, but also as it effects other sections of the community and the general welfare of the Dominion. Their personal 'attitude towards the Government is one of friendly sympathy, but there is a growing disposition among them to eschew party politics* and to concentrate upon tne promotion of national economy and efficiency. They have given the Prime Minister to understand while they warmly appreciate the efforts he has made in these directions, they are by no means satisfied by what the' various departments have accomplished. Many of them, indeed, are profoundly disappointed and say so without any reservation. Mr. Massey, of course, is dependent upon his responsible officers for his facts and figures in connection with finance, and on one or two occasions during the recent session, statements were put into his mouth, which, to say the least of them, were not illuminating. The effect of this has been to cast further suspicion upon departmental methods and to emphasise the need for an independent investigation.

A DESIRE TO HELP. It is in these circumstances the business men of the city, through their various organisations are asking Mr. Massey to accept their assistance in reviewing the system of taxation. An undertaking ■of this kind would involve a close examination of the finances and resources of the country and, consequently a very considerable expenditure, but the results would be so important and so far reaching no reasonable time nor cost should be grudged. Mr. Massey himself has stated more than once that excessive taxation and the effects of incidence are stifling enterprise and industry and so adding very materially to the difliculties created by the huge war expenditure. But within the Public

Service he seems to have no one who can advise him with authority as to the means of escape from this extremely grave position. Those outside the Service can offer only speculations and diffident suggestions. But a committee of business men, such as the Prime Minister has tentatively promised, with access to all the available information, could not fail to be of enormous assistance to the Government at the present juncture and by its knowledge and experience might expedite by several years the Dominion’s return to normal conditions.