UNEMPLOYMENT LEVY

Southland Times, Issue 21177, 2 September 1930, Page 5

UNEMPLOYMENT LEVY

DOUBLE PAYMENTS FOR SEAMEN? IN AUSTRALIA AND IN NEW ZEALAND. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, September 1. During the past few weeks New Zealand seamen in inter-colonial vessels have been called upon to pay an Australian unemployment levy when they have receit ed their wages at Australian ports. Should the Unemployment Bill como into' operation in New Zealand it seems probable that they will be required to pay tax, both in New Zealand and in Australia. The seamen’s representatives state that the remedy is obvious. The seamen should not collect their wages in Australia, but the point is stressed that that procedure would not in all cases be convenient. When the Waikouaiti was'at Sydney about a fortnight ago a circular headed “New South Wales Unemployment Relief Tax” wad received on board that vessel from the Government. The circular reads: "The New South Wales unemployment relief 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 holiday and time off. To income is to be added the following: Board allowance £5 per month (3/4 per day) for masters, officers and engineers, and £4 10/- per month (3/- 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. The taxable overtime is that paid'in New South Wales and earned in New South Wales. A record is to be kept of the amount deducted. A special stamp is to be affixed to each record corresponding to the total amount collected."