DUTIES ON TOBACCO

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 19 September 1934, Page 9

DUTIES ON TOBACCO

DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE DEBATE ON CUSTOMS BILL GOLD EXPORT TAX. (By Teregrapn—rreao aosocwuol.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 18. Tobacco duties were discussed during the committee stage of the Customs Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives to-day, when Mr W. E. Barnard (Labour, Napier), moved an amendment to reduce the duty on cut tobacco from 4s 6d a lb. to 3s lOd a lb., and a second amendment to reduce the duty on other tobacco from: 4s 4d to 3s 8d per lb. Mr Barnard contended that the piesent duties were driving smokers to ‘'tailor-made” cigarettes instead of the pipe or rolling their own cigarettes. Mr K. J. Holyoake (Coalition, Motueka) said he had intended to move a similar amendment. He said the reduction had to be 8d to enable a reduction to be made by the retailei of a penny on a two-ounce tin. Mr Coates said the manufacturer did not require the protection provided by the ' amendment. The manufacturer might or might not pass it on. He said the Government would have to stand by the proposed duties and he appealed to members to support him. Mr Barnard said he had authority for saying that the reduction would be passed on to the consumer. The first amendment was lost by 35 votes to 29 and the second was lost oh the voices.

Other clauses relating to tobacco and the remaining clauses of the Bill were, agreed to without discussion. Coming to the gold duty, Mr P. C. Webb (Labour, Buffer) moved an amendment providing that the export duty of 12s 6d an ounce should not apply to gold sold by registered unemployed gold prospectors whose miners’ rights had been endorsed by the Unemployment Board. Mr Coates said he would like ta do as the amendment suggested, but it would be impossible to administer. Mr W. Nash (Labour, Hutt) suggested that as the difficulties of administration were so great the Minister might forego the 10 per cent, tax paid to another fund. Mr Coates said he had great admiration for the men prospecting in the valleys, but he would not like to commit the Unemployment Board without first consulting the board. He would consult the board.

Mr Webb suggested the members representing mining districts might discuss the matter with the two Ministers concerned. Mr Coates said he would willingly arrange such a conference as he' thought some relief might be given some men who had not reached a payable basis. j The amendment was lost. Mr W. Nash gave notice of his intention to move as a new clause the amendment he moved on Friday relating to the duties bn wheat, flour and other wheat products, but the Chairman of Committees ruled it out of order as it involved an appropriation. Dealing with the first schedule Mr C. A. Wilkinson moved an amendment to abolish the sliding scale on wheat and flour, but the amendment was lost by 45 votes to 17. Mr Wilkinson moved a further amendment which fixed the duty at £2 10s a ton on British flour and £3 10s a ton on foreign flour. He said he was not particular about wheat. The amendment was lost by 50 votes to 11Progress was reported and the House rose at 12.40 a.m.