Many things need to be considered when reviewing the tax system, a reader says. Photo/Getty Images.
When redesigning a tax system, we must consider the components of the current system, and admire the infrastructure that works so well.
1. In designing the capital gains tax system, let's not forget the need for well-off, generous folk, and successful business to support needy charities. They also fund essential surgery, treatment of illness, essential medical drug supplies, technical/medical facilities, university research, and more. Introducing CGT may make a noticeable dent in that generosity.
2. The disincentive to save, and create new businesses with the capital gains tax looming could also seriously deplete our core of entrepreneurs - a major concern.
3. The high cost of CGT infrastructure, personnel, analysis and accounting, may outweigh the expected tax return for some time.
4. Politicians promote the new tax, and talk of its fairness - but is it fair to risk so much?
Why not increase GST to 17.5 per cent or even 20 per cent, making the first $15,000 tax-free for those earning under $50,000 pa, and, using a community card for this group
reducing GST to 5 per cent for milk, fruit, vegetables, a range of meat ...
A meaningful attack on family poverty - how about that for being fair?
5. No extra infrastructure required - systems already exist to make these changes.
Russell McKenzie
Papamoa
As I ride my e-bike to and from work (24km) to Pyes Pa each day via Cameron Rd, I continue to admire the way our planners and engineers have calmed the traffic flow.
There are queues of very calm, slow-moving, at times stopped vehicles. Only problem being that those driving these vehicles appear to be angry and frustrated.
As one of your correspondents mentioned, "They have turned the Greerton section into a carpark".
It is interesting to note that our forebears when planning our towns and cities roads, designed and surveyed main roads wide enough to allow a 'bullock team' to turn.
Hence, we now have roads wide enough to take four lanes for modern vehicles. When my family arrived here in the early 90s, Cameron Rd was four lanes from Gate Pa to CBD. Since then it has been gradually whittled back to two lanes, and yet vehicle numbers have dramatically increased.
I would need to consult a 'real local' but I would not mind betting it was four lanes all the way to Barkes Corner in the not too distant past. And now, I observe, while biking to work, Pyes Pa commuters are forming two lanes to Barkes Corner from Cheyne Rd intersection, of their own volition; disregarding the clearly marked cycle lane.
So what of the future? Well, I am sad to say, those who still want to commute via car, be prepared; "the slow lane will get longer and longer". (Abridged)
Don Hoult
Tauranga
I've recently got back from a month away and look what's happened. Nothing!
Welcome Bay Lane is still closed, Greerton is still gridlocked, and the buses are mostly still empty. How predictable. (Abridged)
Dan Russell
Tauranga
As a concerned resident, I attended city council's (March 5) meeting, where an unheralded, interim committee decision had been taken to gift in principle, 11 Mission St to the Otamataha Maori Trust.
My clear understanding had been that the rates we pay are used for the betterment of the city, environs and residents, not to pay for alleged past grievances.
That is clearly the Government's responsibility and the route the Maori Trust must take if their claim is to be addressed further.
Of the total committee, only mayor Brownless and councillors Robson, Stewart and Brown voted on behalf of the residents, the remainder, in my view, abrogated their responsibility to this city.
D J Bennett
Bethlehem
The Tauranga City Council bemoan the fact that they can't get competitive prices for carrying out the repairs to the base track dropout.
My view of this is that if it's too expensive, don't do it until the tendering process delivers some better alternatives to building it on the beach. One of the alternatives is to use ground anchors to bridge the missing piece of track.
Council is, in my view, receiving poor advice from their consultants who should be able to estimate the costs involved in several alternatives, and if contractors are unwilling to tender for the work, shelve it until the following year. It's not urgent after all.
Dan Russell
Tauranga
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