OLD VIC DRAMA COMPANY

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27670, 28 May 1955, Page 2

OLD VIC DRAMA COMPANY

LIABILITY TO TAX IN N.Z.

REPLY TO CRITICISM OF GOVERNMENT

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 27. “Rather surprising” was how the Minister of Finance (Mr J. T. Watts) today described a statement by the president of the New Zealand branch of the British Drama League on the reason why the Old Vic Company, now in Australia, would not visit New Zealand.

The president of the league (Mr D. S. Campbell) sajd the company would not dome to New Zealand because of the Government’s policy in refusing to grant exemption from amusement tax. Neither could Australian professional companies pay their way In New Zealand without Government or other assistance, said Mr Campbell. Mr Watts said it should be well known that the amusement tax was paid by the patrons, and was collected by the management of the entertainment on behalf of the Government. It seemed unreasonable to suggest that the small tax charge, ranging from 3d on 2s 6d seats to is lOd on £1 seats, had any appreciable influence on patronage, said Mr Watts.

“The genuine interest in the production of good drama is clearly evidenced by the grant made recently to the New Zealand Players.” he said. “Whether some similar assistance to the Old Vic Company would be justified is a matter for the Government to consider, but obviously it cannot do so without some approach by the management of the company and without full information on which to base its consideration of the question.”