LUXURY TAX.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VIII, Issue 217, 15 August 1918, Page 6

LUXURY TAX.

SELECT COMMITTEE’S SCHEDULES. (Received 15, 11.35 a m.) London, Aug. 14. A Select Committee on the Luxury Tax have issued a report detailing proposals in long schedules which cover a vast number of commodities, many of which are to be subjected to tax, irrespective of value, for example :—Precious stones, metals, silks, furs, perfumes, works of art and things used in sport and amusement.

The second schedule covers meals, hoard and lodging. Dinners costing above 5/- should be taxed, also breakfasts above 3/-, afternoon tea above I/-, board and lodging above 17/6 daily and 100/- weekly, single’ bedrooms above 45/- weekly and double 75/-. Another list taxes men’s ooots costing above 40/-, women’s shoes costing above 32/6, men’s suits costing above eight guineas, women s costumes costing above seven guineas, tobacco costing above 1/- an ounce, cigars costing above 9d, horses costing above £l5O and furniture suites costing above £5O The minority report argues that the revenue-producing effect of the taxes will be defeated if duty is chargeable- The whole amount therefore should be charged on the surplus over the exemption bmit. The Committee recommends ex ■mptions in favour of articles pur ’based by museums, libraries and irt galleries and considers that the scheduled prices should be raisable t 1 meet any rise in prices.—(A. and N.Z.)