LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Star, Issue 20592, 18 September 1930, Page 15

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A denial of the report that there was a possibility of the Fox organisation taking over the New Zealand interests of the J. C. Williamson’s Films (New Zealand), Ltd., is given by Mr A. 11. Shepard, general manager for the latter firm. Mr Shepard stated last evening (says a Press Association telegram from Wellington) that ho had only that day received cable advice from his managing director, Mr Beaumont Smith, who is at present on a business trip to Melbourne, that the reported deal was absolutely without foundation. The Gisborne Chamber of Commerce discussed the proposed Parliamentary Committee set up to investigate the position ot railways under construction Reference was made to the fact that the East Coast was not represented on the personnel of the committee. It was considered impossible by one speaker that after all the promises made the railway to Gisborne would be stopped. It was resolved that a deputation should proceed to Wellington with all available evidence. On the other hand, the chamber passed a resolution congratulating the Government on the expeditious work on the Napier-Wairoa section of the line, and asking that work on the Gisborne end should be pushed on expeditiously, so as to synchronise with the completion of the Napier-Wairoa section. A statement issued on behalf of the four Wellington Labour members of Parliament—Messrs 11. M'Kecn, 11. Semple, C. H. Chapman, and P. Fraser—says that they agree in regretting the result of the meeting called by the mayor for tho purpose of promoting a public appeal for tho relief of those suffering from unemployment. It is clear, says the statement, that the opposition which was responsible for such a foolish decision was organised from what is recognised as tho headquarters of the Communist group, and was not really representative of the hundreds of workers at present unemployed in Wellington. 'Tho public should get that fact clear beyond dispute. Labour members agree, and those of them who are city councillors have strongly advocated that all works already approved should be commenced and pushed ahead immediately, and that everything possible should bo done by every available means to absorb in employment men who are at present unemployed. Tho attitude of the Trades Council in placing alternative proposals before the meeting was a perfectly reasonable course, and could not bo objected to. Those who apparently demonstrated their foolish pleasure at the temporary frustration of an effort on behalf of the unemployed were in no way associated with, the trade union movement or the Labour Party. “ 1 am very pleased indeed that tho Chamber of Commerce intends to have an inquiry into a matter now before the public, tho question of taxation and of trading in films in New Zealand,” said Sii Victor Wilson, president of tho Film Distributors’ Association, at Wellington. “ Personally, I do not think that tho trading conditions under which films work in New Zealand are sufficiently known. First, wc_ pay Id duty plus tho sur-charge, which is a revenue duty and not a protective duty, _ as there is no industry in tho dominion, and wo feel that for tho necessary money for tho good government of tho country this method should have been used as it is the general principle throughout tho world. Next we pay a duty which gives us the right to trade in tho dominion. Next, on our profit and loss account of trading within tho dominion an arbitrary amount of 12£ per cent, of the takings constitutes the taxable amount under the company tax. This is a very heavy tax indeed, and was quite a novelty in principle, but we have paid it. On investigation bv leading firms of auditors, taking twelve leading companies, it was found that tho profit in relation to tho turnover was less than 5 per cent., and that the same companies pay on a basis of 12| per cent. Then wo have the latest legislation. First the Government budgeted for £30,000, and again our auditors, on a most careful investigation, found that tho tax would yield £88,500. This surely gives every justification for very careful investigation.” The executive of tho Otago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals met ori Tuesday afternoon, Mr Crosby Morris being in the chair. Others present were Messrs J. Craig (inspector, W. D. Snowball, A. D. Sutherland, J. M'Gregor, T. Elliot, and W. T. Mathewson, and Mrs Portcous. Considerable discussion ensued as to the treatment of calves before the time of slaughtering, tho inspector being instructed to make further inquiries as to tho conditions at Burnside and report to another meeting. In reply to inquiries by tho society with regard to tho treatment of live stock during transnort tho Dunedin traffic manager of the railways (Mr R. B. Sword) stated that every care was taken by the department in this direction. Tho letter was received. The inspector’s report, detailing places visited and cases dealt with was received.