Comprehensive Reform Of Tax System Sought (Press, 14 May 1985)

At a regional conference held in Invercargill over the weekend of 11-12 May 1985, delegates from Otago-Southland expressed a strong desire for the National Government to pursue comprehensive reforms in personal, indirect, and business taxation. A remit passed at the conference was a significantly revised version of an initial proposal from the Invercargill and Young Nationals group. This original proposition had called for the investigation of tax reform measures, including the introduction of a goods and services tax and a flat-rate income tax set at $10,000, with no exemptions. The amended remit that ultimately secured approval from the delegates emphasised that the goals of comprehensive tax reform should be to eliminate tax avoidance and promote economic efficiency. However, the conference attendees voiced considerable dissent regarding the government's proposed goods and services tax. Additionally, a remit from Dunedin North highlighted that controlling inflation should be the main focus of any government policy changes. The conference also tackled several other issues through votes. Delegates expressed unanimous support for New Zealand's active participation in the Anzus Alliance, framing it as part of a responsible commitment to Western democracy, and advocated for its expansion to include other nations in the Pacific. Conversely, the delegates opposed the Homosexual Law Reform Bill currently under consideration in Parliament. Furthermore, delegates dismissed a proposal from Young Nationals which called for secondary schools to offer both academic and vocational options within their core curricula. Delegate Mr M. B. Laws noted that while many schools already had "work experience" programmes, these initiatives were often poorly planned and inconsistently funded, leading to significant discrepancies across different institutions. He suggested that skills relevant to apprenticeships should be taught in schools, especially in rural areas, where options related to agriculture and horticulture ought to be readily available. The discussions and resolutions from the conference reflect broader sentiments on taxation reform, educational curriculum, and social issues within the National Party at the time, indicating a keen interest in economic efficiency and responsibility in governance.

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