Papuan Council

Meets ... ———

4 % Primage Imposed

Balancing the Budget

... ——— From Our Own Correspondent

PT. MORESBY, August 4.

THE annual session of the local Legislative Council commenced on

July 13, when His Excellency the

Lieut.-Governor presided. All members of the Council with the exception of the Hon. A. H. Bunting, were present.

Interest in the session was centred mainly round the proposals of the Treasurer to balance his 1931-32 Bud get by the imposition of a primage duty of 4 per cent, on all imports. The alternative proposal was the reduction of civil servants’ salaries.

The primage duty was passed eventually through all stages and assented to after the following additions had been made: The Lieut.-Governor may suspend operation for any specified period and may reduce the rate of duty for any specified period by proclamation.

Bills in relation to the Native Labour Ordinance were repealed and amended.

A Superannuation Bill was passed for making the services of a public servant for superannuation 28 years instead of 20 years. This amendment will affect only officers joining the public service after the passing of the Bill.

The export tax of 5 per cent. on pearls, previously included in the Export Duties Tariff, was lifted.

Certain suggestions by the nonofficial members that the Native Taxation Fund should be drawn upon to defray the expenses of those depart ments which were purely conducted in the natives’ interests, were defeated by the votes of the official members. ... ———

Public Meeting Opposes

Primage Duty

... ——— A public meeting of residents of Port Moresby and district was held on July 14 in the Institute Hall to consider the proposals of the Government Treasurer to balance his Budget by the imposition of a 4 per cent. primage duty on all imports.

A large number of representative citizens and three non-official members of the Council attended the meeting.

The chairman, in opening the meeting, explained that their object was to consider the imposition of this additional taxation and the possibility of recommending to the Government some other means as an alternative for the balancing of the Budget, which for 1931-32 showed a deficit of from £7,000 to £8,000.

The alternative suggestions put forward were: 1. Further economies in Government expenditure. 2. Payment from Native Taxation Fund of a fair amount, representing services rendered by the Administration for that fund for the benefit of natives. 3. Income tax with elective representation.

The primage tax it was considered would fall amost entirely on the commercial community and on industry, planters and retail traders. The meeting opposed it on the grounds that it was unfair. Plantations, it was stated, were having a bad time, industry was down and out, there were no profits but many terrible losses, and this further burden could not be borne.

The meeting thought the case should be put before the Government for a sound investigation of expenditure, with a view to its reduction where possible.

The minutes of the meeting have been communicated to the Commonwealth Government through the Lieut.-Governor, Sir Hubert Murray. ———