IN THE NECK

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 50, 27 August 1930, Page 6

IN THE NECK

'RATION'S HARD BLOW

(From "Vedette.'')'

SIDNEY, 22nd August.

In the past Australia, in general and •Hew South Wales in particular may have been a happy hunting ground for Dominion horses, but in the future own•is and trainers will be forced to think twice about the venture if the recently instituted taxation is maintained. The most recent teams to arrive, A. M Auley's. a. B. Lorigan's/antl H.. Smith's, have come under this. This is in addition to the 2* per cent, primage duty ■which is refunded if and when the horses leave the Commonwealth inside six months. The sales tax appears to be an iniquitous charge, and officially little hope is- given that, like the primage, it will be remitted. The method of calculating it is also extraordinary, and is best explained by the following copy of an account covering four horses assessed by owners at £5000. Just for leek, and to be on the safe side, the authorities add 10 per cent, to the £5000 for .the primage.charge. Thus: — ■ :■: • & a d ft fcoreeß, £5000, plus 10 p.c, £6500;. primage 2% per cent, .. 137 10 0 Sales Tax, 2V4 P-c on £ 6TGS IG9 2 6 Total •»... £308 12 0 The sales, tax is levied on original Valuation (increased by 10 per cent.), plus the primage, plus 20 per cent, profit, giving in this easo a total of £6765. The cost of transport of the four horses and attendants to Sydney is something in the region of £200. A simple sum shows that about £500 has to be paid out before a blow is struck 5n Australia. Then, if races are won the tax gatherer comes in for a further share of the spoils. The only consolation is that unlucky owners and trainers •will have to be refunded primage duty to pay the expenses of the homeward journey. Australian handicappers now have a good ally in the tax-gatherer, and the combination should restrict Hew Zealand attacks on, Australian prize moneys. .