CUSTOMS REVENUE

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 289, 1 September 1933, Page 10

CUSTOMS REVENUE

Increase for August PETROL YIELD HIGHER Sales Tax Slightly Less The net Customs revenue collected at the port of Wellington during August showed an increase over the corresponding month of 1932, for the first time since last May, while the actual total was the largest collected since April, 1932. The net revenue for last month was £182,869, as against’ ’£179,329 for August, 1932, an increase of £3540. For the eight months of the current year the net 1 Customs revenue was £1,261,138, compared with £1,380,741 for the corresponding period of last year, a decrease of £119,603. Compared with the first eight months of 1931 j when the revenue totalled £1,502,295, there is a decrease of £2417157. A detailed comparison for each of the eight months is given iri the following table: — 1933. 193*2. ‘ January 182,059 205,956 February .... 151,625 177,014 March 149,167 162,749 April ' 136,913 185,301 May ..' 157,551 147.655 June 148,706 156,940 Julv 152,248 165,807 August 182,869 179,32 b Totals £1,261,138 £1;380,741 Motor Spirit and Tires. The duty collected on motor spirit last: month totalled £33,012 at 6d a gallon and £22,005 at 4d a gallon, a total of £55,017, compared with £32£00 at 6d a. gallon and £10,767 at 2d a gallon.’ a total of £43,067 for August, 1932, an increase of £11,950. As can be seen from the totals at 6d a gallon, practically the whole of this increase is due to the increase of 2d a gallon, which came into force last February. The amounts collected apart from that at 6d a gallon are already included’ in the net Customs revenue given above, being paid into the Consolidated Fund as distinctfrom that at 6d a gallon, which goes to the Main Highways Fund. But for this increased petrol tax, there would have been a decrease of £7500 in the net Customs revenue instead of .an increase of £3500. The figures for the eight months are £455,025 and , £390,506 respectively; an increase of £64,519.’’ ' ; Collections of tire tax last month .totalled £1602, as compared with £lO3l for August, 19321: an increase of £571. For the eight months there was a decrease of £1473, the figures being £11,219 and £12,692 respectively. Beer Duty. Beer excise, for August amounted to £4209, as against, £4688 for August, 1932, a decrease of £479. For the eight months the figures are £32,808 , and £39,957 respectively, a decrease of £7149. Sales Tax. , i Collections of sales tax fbJ August amounted to £40,865, compared with £42,853 for July and £45,434 for June. This tax came into operation on February. 10 last, and the total so far collected at Wellington is £244,120. IN OTHER CENTRES t Auckland: Customs revenue of £202,802 collected at Auckland in August was the highest monthly yield for nearly three years. Auckland’s heavy yield following the collection of £182,671 in the preceding month indicates a substantial improvement in the import trade. With one exception this year’s monthly totals have surpassed figures for the corresponding periods of 1932. The total for the first eight months of this year ;'s £1,419,491, compared with £1,302.945 for the similar period last .year. Combined motor-spirit and tire duty in August was £38,130, compared with £37,304. The'sales tax in August was £42,448, the total to date being £224,015. . Christchurch: Customs duties collected in Christchurch during . August were £BB2l less; than in August, 1932. Net Customs ip August, 1933, compared with August, 1932 were: £66,533 (£75,354), beer duty, £7584 (£567); petrol tax, £16,124 (£15,173) ; tire duty, £556 (£433); sales tax, £19,713. In the eight months elapsed of the calendar year Customs shows an increase of £82,628, petrol tax an increase of £6663, and beer •duty a decrease Of £167. , Dunedin: The following are the Customs returns for August, the figures for August last year being given in theses Customs, £48.626 (£51,481); ■beer duty. £17.629 (£17,4501; petrol, £11,622 (£11.642).;. tires, £313 (£331); sales