VISIT BY OPERA COMPANY

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27091, 14 July 1953, Page 6

VISIT BY OPERA COMPANY

SEEKING OF TAX CONCESSIONS MR BOWDEN INVITES PROPOSALS (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 13. The Government would be pleased to consider any proposal submitted on behalf of the National Opera Company of Australia, said the Minister of Inland Revenue (Mr C. M. Bowden) tonight, commenting on the statement in Christchurch by a representative of the company. Dr. A. L. Buchanan, that the company would cancel its tour of New Zealand unless the Government granted tax concessions. Mr Bowden expressed the hope that the company would visit New Zealand. At a recent meeting with Dr. Buchanan he had invited him to submit full details of his proposals, said Mr Bowden. But to date he was not aware that any specific requests had been made. “I canot understand how payment of amusement tax could in any sense be construed as a gift to the New Zealand Government on the part of Australian taxpayers, as suggested by Dr. Buchanan,” he said. Amusement tax was added to the price of the ticket and paid by those who attended the performances in New Zealand, he added. It was paid by those who heard the operas. Referring to income tax, Mr Bowden said that if any were payable it would be levied only on the results of this tour, and the company would be entitled to deduct all proper expenses incurred, including the cost of coming to New Zealand. “I shall be happy to consider any case submitted by Dr. Buchanan, and I hope that New Zealand will be favoured with a visit from this grand opera company,” said the Minister.