WAYS OF TAXPAYERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 111, 13 May 1933, Page 14

WAYS OF TAXPAYERS

SEVERITY IN CANADA CIVIL SERVANTS’ SHOCK NO MOKE WAK PENSIONS. VANCOUVER, April 12. Little else remains to be taxed but the air the people breathe, after the Federal and Provincial Budgets have been announced for the current year. To quote an illustration, the man receiving from £2OO to £4OU a year, whose income has declined 20 per cent, or more, is taxed up to six times as much as last year on the Federal Budget, apart from the impositions of the Provincial Government. The increase on the highest incomes is but 10 per cent. A special tax of two cents a pound on sugar indicates the ends to which the Federal Government is forced to go to secure about £14,000,000 extra revenue to meet a deficit caused mainly by the huge losses on the railways, hotels, telegraphs and express services of the Canadian National system. Liquor, which has always been the most favoured means of tax collection, is left alone, as, with existing imposts, people decline to drink taxed liquor, and in the past two years there has been an enormous increase in the homebrewing of ale. At the frantic request of the brewing interests, the Government has placed a special excise tax on the ingredients used in homebrewing. Among a number of 4 ‘nuisance” taxes now revived is the tax ot. three cents on the stnallost cheque drawn, and a threefold increase of the tax on postal notes. Telegrams already carry a tax, imposed last year, which resulted in a big reduction in telegraphic business. Postage. 1-ates are already at their peak. All foodstuffs that were, exempt front the sales tax ot 6 per cent, aro now included. The humble cigarette paper carries a special tax. As was to be expected, banks and financial institutions have their taxation materially increased. Interest on savings accounts is reduced. Special taxes are imposed on bearer bonds, on dividends received by Canadian residents from Canadian' debtors or from United States, where currency is at a premium over Canada’s. Returned soldiers have received a rude shock in the announcement. that those of them who are employed in the public service will have to forgo their war pension, which has been paid them since the Armistice. Ex-servicemen who are employed in the public service of the Provinces are afraid they will be brought under the same rule. The pensioner is to be given bis choice, between his salary and his pension.