AMUSEMENT TAX.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 24 March 1923, Page 3

AMUSEMENT TAX.

RUGBY UNION PROTESTS. The sum paid to the Government in amusement tax amounted to £353 10s. I 7d, states the annual 'report of the I \Veliington Rugby Union. As such an , amount would have been too severe a draw on the union's resources, the committee was reluctantly compelled to pass tli€) tax on to its patrons. ! Shortly before the amending Act was introduced last session, a deputation representing the- combined sports bodies waited upon the Prime Minister with a request that such bodies be cxi empted from the operation of the tax. The Prime Minister expressed regret that ho could . not accede to the request, but promised that it- would be reconsidered this year. Agricultural shows and similar bodies are now exempted, and. as the funds of the union are devoted solely to the fostering, more particularly among the rising generation, of a game which inculcates self-control and tends to the building up a healthy nation, the committee feels that the continued imposition of a tax on its gates is an injustice which unduly penalises those who attend the games: From recent official statements by the Prime. Minister it is learned that the finances of the Dominion are showing continual improvement, and the committee feels that the time has now arrived for the removal of the tax, and recommends the union to join Avith other spovts bodies to urge its repeal.