Heated Debates on New Tahiti Land Tax
p. 154 · Read in the full issue
New Tahiti Land Tax
LAND tax was the principal sub ject of some very heated debate at the November session of the Representative Assembly of French Oceania in Papeete.
It appears that the tax was in troduced and passed by the As sembly at one of its sessions last year, but that its full import was not realised fully by some members —or perhaps by their constituents.
Application of the new law has caused a considerable outburst by land-holders, especially owners of unexploited lands.
The tax was to provide a large part of the 30 million francs to be found within the Territory for the current budget.
The land tax debate provided an opportunity for representatives to express, in unrestrained terms, their feelings in regard to the mainten ance of a large number of very highly-paid officials from France within French Oceania. The attack was lead by M. Frank Richmond and supported by M. Albert Leboucher and M. Walter Grand.
Eventually certain revisions were carried.
Also debated was a law whereby motor vehicle registration fees would be levied on a horse-power basis.