CO129-525-3 Estimates 1931 and other financial papers 16-1-1930 - 1-9-1932 — Page 103

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The

bring the method of signing ships crews on an off into

consonance with that in force in other parts of the

Empire and legislation to this end will be proposed before the end of this year. The total increased return is expected to approximate to $364,832.

Government is loth to take any step that increases the

charges on the shipping of the port, but Shipping

Companies in the majority of cases either operate on

a gold basis or have increased their dollar charges.

The present Light and other Dues were imposed when the

dollar was worth something about double its present value so that the proposed increases cannot be regarded

as other than fair and equitable.

But the most important item in the Government's programme for raising additional revenue is the proposal to increase the General Assessment Rate by 4%. This

is the fairest in its incidence of all forms of direct

taxation, and is the easiest and the most economical to

collect. Extra taxation being unavoidable early examination of this source was equally so: and it could

not help but be selected. I would remind Hon.Members

that the extra rate was 7% during the War Period, and even if the Government had to reimpose this figure now action which it is hoped to avoid

reference to

Mr. Southom's

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