BUDGET DEBATE.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 7916, 9 August 1917, Page 3

BUDGET DEBATE.

MR G. HUNTER'S VIEWS.

(Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, Last night.

Speaking in the House on the Budget, Mr G. Hunter congratulated the Minister on the magnificent surplus, but pointed out it was only possible owing to the excessive taxation imposed on the people. In that light the position was not so satisfactory. In this connection he urged that consideration be shown to those who largely subscribed to the patriotic funds when compulsory payments to the War Loan were being enforced, for the reason that at the time of the flotation of the loan they, having given largely and freely to local funds, were not in a position to take up war bonds. The amusement tax should be doubled and additional taxation should be put on motor cars. While the practice of paying Government servants war bonuses was to be commended as an example to private employers, he, however, found grave fault with the inadequate taxation placed on beer compared with the amount extracted from the people by way of income tax. Brewing was one of the wealthiest industries in the Dominion, employing less labor than many not so favorably treated, so that when the brewers were down on their knees at night they had every reason to say:

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow, “Praise Massey, Allen, Ward and Co.”