MORE TAXES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 304, 17 September 1921, Page 7

MORE TAXES

’ AN ARGUMENT THAT WENT WRONG A MINISTER SEEKS REVENUE ' The picture showmen who interviewed the Acting-Prime Minister yesterday asked. for the removal of the amusements tax, ahd one of their arguments was that the tax operated unfairly, since it fell upon selected classes of entertainment. They pointed out that picture theatres, vaudeville shows, and tegular theatres paid the tax, while many other entertainments escaped. The Minister looked interested, and the deputation proceeded to tell him that , there was no tax on football, cricket, .Axial: races, Caledonian gatherings, polo tournaments, ruardi gras fetes, harbour excursions, picnics, flower shows, skating rinks, boxing displays, dances, bazaars, and Y.M.'C.’A. presentations of motion pictures. x “ A list including these entertainments and. others had been prepared by the deputation for tlie enlightenment of the Minister, who said that he would like to have a copy of ths document. The copy . was promptly forthcoming. Then Sir Francis Bell explained very courteously that the Government.was not going to remove the _ amusements tax. In fact, 'it ' was proposing to increase the tax. But he . agreed with the deputation that the tax should operate fairly, and he would be very ...glad, to inquire’ regarding the exemptions to which the deputation had drawn his attention. He thought that none of the amusements mentioned might make their contribution to the funds. ... . '