TAXING TICKETS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 5, 6 July 1910, Page 2

TAXING TICKETS.

CHARITABLE AID. A PROPOSAL REJECTED. A novel method of raising funds for charitable aid purposes was proposed by Mr. W. J. Holdßworth (Grey Lynn) at the Municipal Conference yesterday afternoon in the following remit: — That the Government be urged to tax all tickets to races, theatres and amusements, in order to provide or raise revenue for hospital and charitable aid purposos, thereby relie"vdng ratepayers from such taxation as now adopted, by means of a separate value on capital, or other value of rateable property. The mover drew a moving picture of theatrical companies and amusement entrepreneurs, cinematograph syndicates, and great musicians operating in New Zealand, and carrying^ a great deal of money away from the country. Enormous sums, said Mr. Holdsworth, went out in this way. The Government took a toll in income tax, but the municipalities would be quite justified in taking a little more in a tax on tickets for race meetings, theatres, picture shows, football matches, concerts, and other amusements. There were hundreds of young men who at present paid nothing towards charitable aid. They were comfortably installed in boardinghouses and paid no rates. They escaped taxation, while the thrifty man with a family and 1 a household to maintain, with money to pay into his friendly society, had to pay in addition charitable aid rateß^ — rates which, as being spent for the universal benefit, should be collected as universally as possible. Mr. iioldsworth added that the system of taxing tickets was already in successful operation in France for the Bake of hospitals and charities. It would relieve tho taxpayer considerably, and mako persons now paying nothing pay' something towards these purposes. Mr. E. Page (Eketahuna) held that a tax on tickets would have a fine moral elfect on the community, as in New Zealand th«re wa« too much attention given to sport. The Now. 2e&U&ier ha.€ run

ma.d on amusement. He would almost prefer that the avenue of iJie expenditure of such a tax should be left open. For instance, there -was that strange place in America. (Laughter.) If the proposal had been in force there, they would have gathered enough to pay off their charitable aid for a whole year. (Laughter.) Mr. J. Vigor Blown (Napier) said he would far rather vote for a tax purely on racing and gambling tickets. If the tax put on entrance money were increased, it would bring in plenty of money. But he would not like to see a check to the amusements of the peopl#. Far better a straight out tax on gambling. Voice : Is there no gambling at a football match? Mr. Vigor Brown : Well, there ought not to be. In my time it was not allowed. Mr. Brown added that they ought not to penalise men with large families by putting a tax on admission to decent amusements and* entertainments. In the case of gambling, a man either lost or made money. If he won a tenner, he j could afford to pay the tax,- if he lost, well, the money was gone. ' Mr. A. H. Hindmarsh (Wellington) hoped the conference would c£st out the remit. They ought to take a hint from the president and not make their wants so wide. Did the mover expect people, like Madame Melba, wore going to stay in New Zealand? They came to the most ont-of-the-way place in the whole world. If they earned v their money they should be allowed to take it away. Personally, he could not • stand the "kill-joy" attitude. As a matter of fact, a man who knew what he was talking about had told Hm that the pictures were killing the bar trade in Wellington. Voice : Question ! Mr, Hindmarsh : I believe it to be true. You can't expect a young man to stay in of an evening. Where is he to go? It must be either a theatre or bar ; better that he should go to some entertainment or other. People should not be stopped from enjoying them selves if they want to do so. If you smile in the street there are some people would have you prosecuted. (Laughter.) Mr. E. H. Penny (Blenheim) broke a lance for "the young man in the boardinghouse." If a man in receipt of £100 a year spent £95 on keeping himself, he was paying at least £25 a year in taxation. Mr. Pettit (Nelson) hoped they would not suggest the drawing of revenues from such disgraceful occupations as racing. Sport was being carried altogether too far. It was time something was done to stop such indulgence. Mr. Devine (Wellington) did not think the mere taxation of tickets would prevent people from going to the theatres, or the pictures, or the races. The tax would be so infinitesimal that they would not feel it. Something should be done towards relieving the ratepayer. The motion was rejected on the voices.