AMUSEMENT TAX

Otago Witness, Issue 3523, 20 September 1921, Page 14

AMUSEMENT TAX

* DEPUTATION TO SIR FRANCIS BELL. WELLINGTON, September 16. A large deputation representing the theatre, vaudeville, and moving picture interests of the dominion interviewed Sir Francis Bell and the Hon. W. Nosworthy to-day- to urge the removal of the amusement tax'. “The public greatly resented the tax,” stated the spokesman. “During the war showmen were obliged to shoulder the tax with a disastrous result on their receipts, which compelled many picture theatre companies to amalgamate and close certain theatres. One hundred per cent, of the public demanded the repeal of the tax, which hit hardest the picture shows—the amusement of the poor. There were many amusements for which admission was charged, but no tax was levied, and we had the quaint situation that the patron of a 10s seat at a boxing match paid no tax, while the 9d patron at moving pictures for the same match paid 11 per cent, on his ticket. He maintained that it was right not to tax these amusements. lie claimed that theatres, vaudeville shows, and moving pictures should also not be taxed.” Sir Francis Bell, in replying, said that while reserving the opportunity to consider the. verbatim report of file representations made, he wanted frankly to slate that they had nor moved him personally from the attitude of the Government’s report on the subject. He spoke for all the members of the Cabinet except Air Massey, in saying that the Government regarded it as a proper tax, and by no means a war tax, but a source of revenue. Tho Government, so far from removing the tax. had been in favour largely of increasing and extending it. lie could not say what the Government's attitude would be after studying their arguments, but it would be very unfair to let them go away thinking that the Government had been considering the removal of the tax. He agreed that they should all be on tile same basis, but his point of view was that all should contribute to the revenue. Ah- E. J. Righton (Wellington), who introduced the deputation, thanked the Minister for bis candour. lie had not given them very much hope, but he had given thorn something to think about.