DUTY ON TOBABCCO.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 19 August 1924, Page 7

DUTY ON TOBABCCO.

WILL IT BE REDUCED STATEMENTS IN THE HOUSE. A statement that the .Prime Minister had conveyed the impression throughout the country that remission was to be expected in the duty on tobacco was made jn the House on Friday night by Mr. Sidey. “It is said that when the .Government made up their estimates they were in a quandary as to what their proposals were to be,’’ said Mr. Sidey. “They could not make up their minds. If you want an illustration of that you have only to look at the fact that when they announced they were going to reduce taxation by a million sterling they were unable to inform the country from .what source of revenue concessions were to be made. The amount which is actually budgeted for has not to be reduced by one million sterling. Statements that have lieen made have produced uncertainty in the country. The Prime Minister indicated in one of his speeches that part of the remission was to come off tobacco.” The Prime Minister: I did not. Mr. Sidey said there was a feeling of uncertainty in the trade. Mr. Massey: Be accurate. You know what I said quite well Air. Sidey: I don’t. “Then you ought to,” said the Prime Minister. Mr. Sidey: The public concluded, at any rate that there was to be a remission of the tobacco duty. 1 don’t say there was a clear and definite statement to that effect, but there was sufficient said to lead the public to infer it. Even with three months’ notice there is a certain amount of uncertainty which ought to he removed. The Government ought to come out and let the country know in what respect they are going to remit taxation. The Prime Minister said he had suggested, when speaking at a Chamber of Commerce function, that we would have a very good year, and that among the articles on which the duty ought to be remitted might he tobacco. Air. Langston: The carrot in front of the donkey’s nose! “T am not thinking of the lion, member.” replied Air. Alassev. (Laughter.) Air Eangstone: You wore thinking of yourself (Labour laughter.)