THE AMUSEMENTS TAX.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18206, 27 September 1922, Page 8

THE AMUSEMENTS TAX.

SPORTS BODIES' OBJECTION. A SYMPATHETIC KEPLY. . [by. tsleobaph.—special reporter.] WELLIN GTON. j Tuesday. The following reply fcs« been' received from the Prime Minister as a result of a meeting of representatives from sports bodies called for the pa-pose of considering the Amusements Tiix Bill now before Parliament: — "I have t* acknowledge the receipt of your letter relating to" the amusements tax and its operation on sports bodies. As you are no doubt aware the amusements tax was imposed entirely as a war taxation measure to help to meet the heavy burden of expenditure entailed by the war, and owing to the acute financial stringency ai. the present time it has not been possiblo to remove the taxation altogether, although in the Bill just now before Parliament an instalment of relief has been provided. I am fully alive to the unpopularity of the legislation, and it was only stem necessity which compelled me to perform the unpleasant duty of imposing the tix, especially on bodies organised for the promotion of sports of all kinds. I sincerely hope that with the general improvoment in the financial position of the country it will be possible to do away with tho tax next year." In view of the sympathetic nature of Mr. Masesy's answer it has not been 00-a----sidered necessary to take any further action at present. The general feeling is that as the publio finances require every assistance at the present juncture it would be better to contribute to the revenue like "sports' 1 for another year than endeavour to secure exemption at once.