AUSTRALIA

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 September 1943, Page 6

AUSTRALIA

“BLACK” MARKETS. CANBERRA, Sept. 27. Black marketing is so prevalent in Australia that some Ministers believe that the whole financial structure of the Commonwealth is being endangered. They are greatly concerned about the ease with which black marketers can escape the severe penalties provided under the Black Marketing Act. Prosecutions have been unsuccessful, and it is known that the Minister of Trade and Customs (Senator Keane) favours a complete review of the Act. He will consult the Commonwealth Prices Commissioner (Professor D. B. Copland) this week, on the effectiveness of the Act in relation to the incidence of the black market evil. On the result of this discussion will rest the terms of a submission Senator Keane proposes to make to the Cabinet for an amendment to the Act.

BUDGET RECORD. MELBOURNE. September 28. The federal Budget for 1943/44. to be introduced by the Treasurer. Mr. Chifley, to-morrow, will be a record of nearly .£700,000,000. The increase is expected to be provided (or and the bank credit will probably be more than £200,000,000. Last year the Government raised £250,000.000 by taxation, £200.000,000 by loans and £200.000,000 by bank credit. Full. investigation into -'the possibility of introducing the pay-as-vou-gb taxation in Australia has been ordered by Mr. Chifley. Official quarters predict, however, that Mr. Chifley will be advised this system would be impracticable lor at least another year. An approach to this reform is still influenced by manpower difficulties of the Taxation Office.