TAXATION ON LIQUOR.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 157, 14 April 1928, Page 5

TAXATION ON LIQUOR.

CHANGE IN NEW SOUTH WALES. PROPOSAL FOR INCREASE. (United Press Association—Copyright). SYDNEY, April 13. At a joint pre-sessional meeting of the Nationalist and Country Parties, important financial reforms and new sources of raising revenue were foreshadowed. The Treasurer (Mr T. R. Ravin) said the tax on liquor sales would be restored, which would mean a considerable increase in revenue.

A great saving would also be effected by separating-the control of the tramways from the railway administration, and placing omnibuses under the Transport Board, thus eliminating competition with the trams. There would be no increase in the income tax.

Explaining the liquor tax, the Treasurer said the liquor license fees would be increased from two per cent, to five per cent, on liquor sales, thus restoring the tax removed by the Lang Administration. Prior to Mr Lang’s amendment, two per cent, of the tax on liquor sales went to the Treasury and the other three per cent, was paid into- a compensation fund in order to meet' any claims made, as a result of the operations of the License Reduction Board. In consequence of the amount in the fund being sufficient to meet all claims, it was decided to relieve the liquor interests) of the necessity of paying more into the fund. The Government was now of opinion that the additional three per cent, on sales could be reimposed without victimising the liquor consumers.—Australian Press Association. EARLY LEGISLATION., (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Cabinet estimates that the liquor tax will yield an additional £250,000 to the revenue annually. Special legislation will be enacted to impose the tax as soon as Parliament meets.