RETAILERS MEET IN CONFERENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17780, 25 February 1926, Page 1

RETAILERS MEET IN CONFERENCE.

TAX DISCRIMINATION OBJECTED TO. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, February 25. At the annual conference of the Drapers and Clothiers and Boot Retailers’ Association, Mr P. W. W. White, New Plymouth, presided. The election of officers resulted: President, Mr P. L. Halsted (Dunedin) ; vice-president, Mr IT. V. Free. (Christchurch) ; member of the advisory board, Mr W. Simms (Wellington). Trading by public bodies was discussed, particularly by power boards, and in the purchase of uniforms byschools and harbour boards. In the latter cases it was held unfair to traders who were able to give better value than could be obtained by people who did not know the trade, and therefore could not import to advantage. It was decided to ask that city firms be not compelled to pay both graduated land and income taxes. The farmer paid no income tax and his land was of lesser value than city properties. The president thought they should concentrate on the removal of the graduated land tax from the city properties. It was a tax that was never intended to be levied.

It was strongly urged that the c.o.d. system of sending parcels from abroad, for which the Post Office collected 4d, be discontinued. Speakers gave instances of goods coifing in at 25 per cent Customs duty when retailers had to pay 40 per cent. Instances were given of boots coming in without examination, whereas the boot retailers were subject to the most harassing regulations.