THE AMUSEMENTS TAX

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 306, 20 September 1921, Page 5

THE AMUSEMENTS TAX

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—The arguments advanced by Mr. E. J. Righton and • others against an increase in the amusements tax do'not appear to have greatly impressed Sir Francis Bell. Nothing was said about the increases in prices of admission during tho past three years. . In many country towns tho moving-picture business has been monopolised by., combines, thereby enabling the owners to demand high admission prices, and for any film of more than average merit you have to pay 2s. 7d., while the old Is. Id. and sixpehny prices are wiped out. It would bo an excellent idea to cut out the tax on shilling tickets, and treble it on all tickets over that amount. The excuse for increasing prices has been increased expenses in the way of film hire, but in some of tho towns film hire has actually been reduced. Tho best proof as to whether the business can stand any increased tax would be the production of some of the showmen’s books. The amalgamation of the different interests in several towns has enabled exhibitors to exploit the public, and in considering tho question of the tax Parliament should protect the picture-goers, the great majority of whom are poor people.—l am, etc., KINEMA.