DEARER SMOKES

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 256, 25 July 1930, Page 10

DEARER SMOKES

Extra Duty on Cigarettes

£400,000 A YEAR

“More Than Can Be Borne”

After careful study of the new duties on tobacco, cigars, and cigarettes, it has been estimated that the extra impost on cigarettes alone in one year will produce £400,000, which, it is said, is more than the Industry and the public

can bear. n The following statement was officially made by W. D. and H. O. Wills (N.Z.), Ltd., yesterday:— “If the proportion of local and imported cigarettes remains about the same as at present, it seems likely that the amount raised In additional revenue in one year, allowing for the surtax, will be very nearly £400,000. Thq amount seems to be much in excess of what the Industry and the public can bear.

“We regret the interruption in trade caused by the delay in Issuing new price lists, but a glance at the above figures will probably convince everyone that the matter needs some working out The fact that the locally-manu-factured article is treated more heavily In the matter of this increase than the imported article makes it more than ever difficult to adjust prices.” It was not stated when the new price list will be ready for the retailers, but It will possibly be at the end of the week.