BUDGET’S RECEPTION

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 July 1930, Page 7

BUDGET’S RECEPTION

TOTE TAX CRITICISED

QUID PRO QUO WANTED

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

CHRISTCHURCH, July 25.

Referring to the proposal to impose a further tax of 2t per- cent, on tote investments, Mr J. H. Williams, President of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Conference, said: “If this is done, it is only right that the Government should see that legislation is passed permitting clubs to receive money for investment, through the P. and T. Department, and also to institute a double tote if desired. If the Government is sincere, it will surely grant this relief.” Concerning the Budget, generally, the general opinion in the city is that increased taxation was necessary, but business men consider that much more could have been done in effecting economies in departmental expenditure.

CONFERENCE OFFICIALS.

WELLINGTON, July 25

The President of the New Zealand Racing Conference (Mr Watkins), when approached regarding the increased tax from the tote, said that at this juncture he thought it. best to say nothing. The Secretary of the Conference (Mr Sellars) said it came as a blow. The first, charge on the tote was 125 per cent. Of this, the Government. would take 5 per cent and clubs 75. The dividend tax. remained at. 5 per cent., making the total charge 171, thus each pound invested on the tote immediately shrunk to 16/6.

TARIFF INCREASES. TOBACCO FIRM'S PROTEST. [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, July 24. After a careful study of the new duties on tobacco, cigars and cigarettes, it. has' been estimated that the extra impost on cigarettes alone in one year will produce £400.000, which, it is said, is more than the industry and the public can bear. The following statement was officially made by W. D. and H. O. Wills (N.Z.) Ltd., to-day:—“lf the propor-

;ion of local and imported cigarettes ■emains about the same as at present, t seems likely that the amount raised

in additional revenue in one year, allowing for surtax, will be very nearly ,£400,000. This amount seems to be much in excess of what the industry and public can bear. We regret the interruption in trade caused by a delay

in issuing our new price lists, but. a glance at the above figures -will probably convince everyone that the matter needs some working out. The fact

that the locally-manufactured article is treated more heavily in the matter of (his increase than the imported article, makes it more than ever difficult to adjust prices.” It was not stated when the ’new price list will be ready for retailers, but it will possibly be at the end of the week.

SAWMILLERS’ REQUEST.

AUCKLAND, July 24

The following telegram has been sent to the Prime Minister by the sawmillers associated in the timber trading:—“The Government’s proposals will not result in any protection to the industry, as the duties imposed by the Government have al--ready been forestalled by the recent reduction in the price of 2/- per 100 ft by the Oregon shippers. The sawmillers respectfully urge that, only bulk timber over 12in by 12in be admitted, and that the duty on this item be increased to 7/6 per 100 ft. The importation of smaller sizes should be entirely prohibited, with the exception of containers for farmers’ produce. This would’result in increased labour being used in the manufacture of smaller sizes and dressing timbers, thus relieving unemployment in the industry.”