WAR TAXATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16036, 30 September 1915, Page 9

WAR TAXATION.

BILL PASSED BY HOUSE.

TOTALISATOR DIVIDENDS.

AMENDMENT OF TAX.

TWO AND A-HALF PER CENT.

[by Tij.ncßAPn. —r-RKSS association.]

Wellington, Wednesday. The discussion on the amendment to the Taxation Bill, "that this House disagree with the proposal to introduce a primage dutv of 1 per cent., and recommend the Government to impose a minimum beer duty of sixpence per gallon, and reduce the proposed primage duty proportionally/* was continued in the House of Representatives after the telegraph office closed this morning.

After Messrs. Payne, Lee, Harris, loung, and Field (Otaki) had spoken Mr. Hino called for a division, which lapsed owing to there being no seconder. '1 he House then went into Committee. On the clause providing for a surtax of 50 per cent, on enemy goods, Mr. W. A. veitch (Wanganui) contended that the increased tariff on Gorman goods should be just sufficient to shut them out. Under the impost proposed British manufacturers would be enabled to exploit the New Zealand market.

Mr. C. J. Parr (Eden) considered that 50 per cent, was not high enough, as it could be whittled away by shipping and other subsidies.

Mr. R. Fletcßer (Wellington North) contended that the surtax should be 100 per cent.

Sir Joseph Ward pointed out that the surtax could be altered by Order-in-Couu-cil, and it would probably be neceesary to review it next year. On clause 33, providing for the tax on beer. Mr. G. V. Pearco moved that the clause be struck out, as an indication that the beer tax should be increased by three pence a gallon under the present system of collection.

The amendment was lost bv 9 votes to 48.

The clause imposing a tax on totalisator dividends was amended, making the tax 2i per cent, on every pound or fraction invested.

The Bill was reported with amendment*, read a third time, and passed. The House adjourned at 4.55 a.m.