AMUSEMENT TAX ON SPORT

Southland Times, Issue 23375, 6 December 1937, Page 6

AMUSEMENT TAX ON SPORT

Burden On Amateur

Organizations

REQUEST FOR REMISSION ADVOCATED (United Press Association) WHANGAREI, December 4. “The Government is willing to spend money on the physical development of the people and it seems anomalous that it should take away with the other hand the very funds required for proper development,” said Mr L. J. Brake, president of the North Auckland Rugby Union, in advocating a Dominion-wide move for remission of the amusement tax on amateur sport. . The balance-sheet of the SpringbokNorth Auckland match played here showed that the gate takings were £735, of which £B3 was paid in amusement tax. If it had not been for this high levy, Mr Brake said, the union would have finished the season with a credit instead of a deficit. The Government must have made a terrific sum out of the Springboks tour. It was continuing the policy of its predecessor in office by making a remission to racing and trotting clubs on the totalizator turnover, and it seemed that amateur athletic organizations had missed their opportunity of making application for relief from the heavy burden of taxation they were carrying. The imposition was unfair, especially when consideration was given to the amount of time officials gave voluntarily to administering the various branches of sport which had for its object the betterment of the race. _ , Mr Brake was of the opinion that amateur athletic bodies should apply for remission of the amusement tax, and then if the Government funds permitted seek grants. It was decided to ask the New Zealand Rugby Union to make representations for remission of the amusement tax on all Rugby matches.