"SUMPTUARY LAW"
TAXATION OF LUXURIES
PROPOSALS OF SELECT COM-
MITTEE.
(Received August 15, 11 sum.)
: LONDON, 14th August. The Select Committee on the taxation of luxuries has issued a report detailing its proposals. The long schedules cover a vast number of commodities, of which many are proposed to be subjected to tax irrespective of value; for example, precious stones and metals, silks, furs, .perfumes, works of art, and things used for sport and amusement. A second schedule covers meals and board and lodging. Dinners costing above ss, breakfasts over 3s, and afternoon tea over Is should be taxed; and the limit at which taxation should begin for board and lodging is set at 17s 6d a day or £5 a week; single bedrooms 45s a week, and double bedrooms 75s a week.
Another list fixes taxes for men's boots costing more than 40s and women's shoes costing over 32s 6d, men's suits over eight guineas, women's costumes over seven guineas, tobacco over Is an ounce, cigars over 9d, horses over £150, and suites of furniture over £50.
'A minority report argues that the revenue-producing effect of the taxes will be defeated if duty is chargeable on the whole amount. It should therefore be charged on the surplus over the exemption limit.
The committee recommends exemptions in favour of articles purchased by museums, libraries, and art galleries, and considers that provision should be made for raising the scheduled prices to meet any rise in prices.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19180815.2.52.37
Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 40, 15 August 1918, Page 7
Word Count
244"SUMPTUARY LAW" Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 40, 15 August 1918, Page 7
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Evening Post. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.