IMPORT CUT EFFECT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20031, 1 September 1939, Page 14

IMPORT CUT EFFECT

DECLINE IN REVENUE OTAGO CUSTOMS FIGURES . (Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN this day. The effect of the import restrictions on the customs revenue collected at the port of Otago, is reflected in the figures for the month just ended which, compared with those for the corresponding period oj last year, had shown a decrease of £7414. As a consequence there has also been a considerable decline in the amount collected in sales tax, the collections fo r August 1939 totalling £22,599 and for August of last vear £25,073. Beer duty shows a substantial rise of £12,740, due partially to the increase in the duty which came into force at the beginning of last month, but more to tne very much greater output.

That motorists are using less petrol since the duty was increased, is indicated by the fact that despite the extra levy which has been in force for nearly a month, the amount collected in tax is £1515 less than paid into the department during August of last year. A considerable drop is also shown in the tyre tax and the returns of gold duty have decreased from £1730 to £1314, when a comparison is made with figures for 1938. The following are detailed figures for August, the returns for the corresponding month of last year also being given:—

August August 1939 1938 Customs Duty .. 03,019 70,433 Beer Duty .. 34,706 21,906 Sales Tax . . 22,599 25,073 Petrol Tax .. 14,098 15,613 Tyre Tax 275 652 Gold Duty 1,314 1,730