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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 23

Taxation

Taxation.

With regard to this important question of the increase of the taxation of the country I will read to you what appeared on the subject in my published address (reads): A vigorous opposition to all increase in the aggregate of the taxation of the colony until every other possible expedient has been exhausted. More particularly to the imposition of any additional taxation usually termed protective duties." Now, that is exactly the position I take up. I never make promises unless I know I can perform them, and I am not quite sure that it is possible to avoid additional taxation. I believe myself that most likely we shall be able to do it. I shall strive ardently to make both ends meet, without levying a sixpence of additional taxation, but I cannot place myself in a ridiculous and improper position by pledging myself to a course which it may be found impossible to carry out. The form which the legislation of the country has taken of late years, has inevitably entailed a large increase in the taxation of the colony, and until defective legislation is attacked and remedied it will be impossible to reduce expenditure beyond a certain point. Take the Education Act. It is framed on certain line.; it provides for certain officers, boards, &c.. and for certain things to be done which all involve expenditure on certain lines, and we cannot touch it until we approach it on a sound practical basis. That can be only done by legislation. This is only one out of many things. It is impossible to attack that vast mass in a single session, and therefore the reduction of expenditure to the lowest point cannot be achieved in one session. It may take two or three. As regards the Civil Service, as a matter of fact the salaries of the New Zealand civil servants are upon the whole less than those of officers in the other colonies of the same standing, but as a temporary measure, and in order to secure immediate retrenchment, which the country demands, I consider that from the Governor downwards, including the Ministers of the Crown and members of the House, there should be a substantial reduction in all emoluments—say, a reduction of ten per cent. There are many other large immediate savings which could be made by a Government determined upon retrenchment, but the permanent and most important reductions require heavy work in the nature of amended legislation, which, as I have said, necessarily takes considerable time.