SEAMEN'S WAGES TAXED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20656, 30 August 1930, Page 14

SEAMEN'S WAGES TAXED.

SHIPS IN AUSTRALIAN PORTS. UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF LEVY. [by tei.kguaph.— own connksfonpent.] WKLLLNT.TOX, Friday. New Zealand seamen in intercolonial vessels have been called upon in several cases during the past few weeks to pay an Australian unemployment levy when they have received their wages at Common wealth ports. When the W'aikouaiti was at Sydney about a fortnight ago a circular headed, "New South Wales Unemployment Belief Tax," was received on board that vessel from the Government. The circular reads: ''The New South Wales Unemployment. Belief Tax provides that, employers collect 3d for each £1 of income paid and earned in New South Wales. Income includes wages, overtime, payments in lieu of holidays and time off. To income is to be added the following board allowance, £5 per month (3s 4d per day) for masters, officers and engineers, and £4 10s per month (3s per day) for all other ratings. "The tax is not applied to wages paid outside New South Wales. Payments in lieu of holidays and paid in New South Wales are to be taxed on the full amount. Tho taxable overtime is that paid in NewSouth Wales and earned in New South Wales. Record is to be kept of the amount deducted. A special stamp is to be aflixed to such record corresponding to the total amount collected." In the case of the W'aikouaiti the crew did not get a pay at Sydney and so escaped Ibe tax.

The tar will bo a heavy drain on seamen engaged in Home vessels, which make a stay of from a month to six weeks on tlii Australian coast. While tho crew of the intercolonial passenger steamer Maheno was at. Melbourne on the occasion of that vessel's last, visit to Australia, the men received their month's wages. They also received a surprise when they wore informed that according to the new regulations each man would bo (axed a penny on each pound drawn, (he levy being under the unemployment relief tax imposed by the Federal Government. The (ax was paid.