THE MINERAL TAX.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2309, 30 September 1908, Page 1

THE MINERAL TAX.

AN UNJUST EXACTION. REDRESS PROBABLE. [Special to “Times.”]

WELLINGTON, Sept. 29. A deputation representing coal mine owners, quarry owners, and brick makers from Otago, Christchurch, and Wellington, waited on the Hon. Mr. McNab last evening, to complain of tho unjustness of the Mineral tax, now being collected by some local bodies. It was staled that the tax was levied under an Act passed thirteen years .ago, but it was only within the last two or three years that it had been put into operation. Soiuo otluy startling figures in regard to the burden of the tax wore given. For instance, one quarry owner at North East Valley, near Dunedin, had his local taxes jumped up from £l6 to £136. It was stated during tho course of tho interview that if the tax was persisted in, some of tho coal pits, quarries and brick works •would havo to close down’. Another interesting point mentioned was that since tlio introduction, into Duncilin of electricity, generated TsV water power, tho consumption of low grade coal in Otago had fallen considerably, and tho industry was now practically a waning ono. Decently some of the pits had been working only half timo, and it lookod as if they would havo to bo closed altogether. The altornativo was the generation of electricity by the utilisation of tlio low grado coal at tho mines, and tlio con--1 veyance of tho power, by means of wire, to tlio manufacturing districts. Hon. Mr. McNab explained that the matter did not come altogether within tho sphere of the Valuation Department, of which ho has charge, the matter of taxation, both local and guoral, coining under tho jurisdiction of tho Minister of Finance. Ho expressed surprise at the figures quoted, and urged tho deputation to wait upon Sir Joseph Ward. “Your grievance is such,” ho said, “that you ought not to leavo Wellington without seeing tho Premier. I think it will he tune well spoilt for you to seo him.”

It was decided to endeavor to obtain an interview accordingly, and it was explained that tho tax is levied in some districts and not in others.