CUSTOMS BILL

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 41, 16 August 1930, Page 10

CUSTOMS BILL

PASSED BY COUNCIL

After a brief discussion, during which greater taxes on luxuries were urged, the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon passed the Customs Amendment Bill without amendment.

The Hon. J. A. Hanan said ho was concerned about the finances of the country. The whole trouble was that the country had been spending far beyond its income.

The Hon. P. J. Garland said there should be a greater tax on the luxuries of life, and he thought a mistake had been made in not increasing the beer, spirit, and tobacco duties. The Hon. L. M. Isitt said he was delighted to welcome Mr. Garland as a convert. (Laughter.) He referred to the tremendous profits which the brewers were making, and said the extra 4d in the excise duty on beer was nothing less than a burlesque.

Tho lieader of the Council (Sir Thomas Sidey) said he had listened with great interest to tho debate, and i all the suggestions which had been made would be referred to the Government. There had been an increase of 4s a gallon on whisky and brandy. Jleferring to the petrol tax, Sir Thomas said the whole of the money collected would go to the upkeep of tho roads, and the only assistance to the Consolidated Fund would bo the relief of not having to make contributions to the Highways l'jo.ird, Tho. Bill was passed.