COMMONWEALTH POLITICS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2596, 2 September 1909, Page 5

COMMONWEALTH POLITICS

THE CAPITAL SITE

MATTERS WELL ADVANCED

United Pkess Association —Copyright*

SYDNEY, September 1.

In the Assembly Mr Wade, tabling correspondence regarding the Federal capital site, said that matters were so far advanced that he had every reason to hope the State Parliament would Be consulted on the matter in the immediate future.

LAND TAXATION PROPOSALS.

INTRODUCED IN VICTORIAN ASSEMBLY.

MELBOURNE, Sept. 1.

In the Assembly the Treasurer introduced the land taxation proposals, which provide for .levying a tax of |d' in the £ on estates whose unimproved value ranges from £SOO to £25,000; |d in the £ up to £5000; Id in the £ up to £IO,OOO, .and proportionately increasing to 2d in the £ where the valuers £50,000, and 3d in the £ on estates above £BO,OOO. The Treasurer, in moving the second reading of the Bill, said'the main objects were: Firstly, extension of agricultural settlement; secondly, to meet an expected shortage of Customs returns from the Commonwealth. ,It was proposed to break up large estates by a steady increase. The reason for exemption up to £SOO was governed by the desire to see closer settlement. At present there were 405 estates in Victoria, each over £25,000 in capital value, 45 men holding 1,296,000 acres of the value of £7,153,000. Owing to the scarcity of land for settlement the Government found a difficulty in keeping people. During the past 27- years the State had lost over 12,000 people by excess of emigration over immigration. He expected the tax to yield £318,000 annually, including the present land tax. It was proposed to earmark £50,000 annually for reduction of railway freights and the construction of country railways. Mr Prendergast indicated that the Labor party would support the tax ADELAIDE, August 31.

The Premier has moved progressive land tax resolutions similar to‘ those introduced last year.