TAX ON AMUSEMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17889, 17 September 1921, Page 6

TAX ON AMUSEMENTS.

INCREASE PROBABLE. CASTING A WIDER v net,, I EFFECT OF DEPUTATION. [BY TELBGKAPH. COBBESPONTOSyC.} WELLINGTON. . Friday. The picture showmen who interviewed the Acting-Minister for Finance, Sir Francis Bell, to-day, asked for the removal of the amusements tax. One of their arguments was that the tax operated unfairly since it fell upon selected classes of entertainment. They pointed out that picture theatres, vaudeville shows, and regular theatres paid the tax, while many other entertainments escaped. ■ The Minister looked interested, and the deputation proceeded to tell him that there was no tax on football, cricket, boat races, Caledonian gatherings, polo tournaments, mardi eras fetes, harbour excursions, picnics, flower shows, skating rinks, boxing displays, dances, bazaars, and Y.M.UA. presentations at motion pictures. A list, including these entertainments and others, had been prepared by the deputation for the Minister, who said that he would like to have a copy of the document. JLne copy was promptly forthcoming. Then Sir Francis Bell explained very courteously that'the Government was not going to remove the amusements tax. In tact, it was proposing to increase the tax, tat he agreed with the deputation that the tax should operate fairly, and he would be very glad to inquire regarding the exemptions to which the deputation had drawn his attention. He thought that some of the amusements mentioned might make their contribution to the public funds.