EXCISE DUTY ON TOBACCO

Taranaki Daily News, 8 August 1930, Page 7

EXCISE DUTY ON TOBACCO

jS-ROWEPvS PETITION PARLIAMENT. A largely-signed petition to the House of Representatives from tobacco producers in the Nelson province’, enters an emphatic protest against the reduction of duty on raw tobacco leaf,.imported into New Zealand and also the projposed increase in excise duty on locallymanufactured tobacco. . .

The petitioners state that if -..the proposals are put into operation they will be compelled to cease operations, as they cannot compete against the imported article. “As this industry has been ’the means of the present progress and expansion of the Nelson province gener'allyT they state, “we feel that, every •protection . should be given to it and . liot encouragement to the ■ importation .of any raw tobacco, leaf. The industry to-day means additional wealth to a . considerable extent " .which -is derived ■from small holdings, and is in accordance with the present idea and policy of inducing men to return to the land. The elimination of this industry will create marked, local unemployment, ••which is most undesirable at the present time, and will mean further a substantial' loss annually in wages.” ' The’ petitioners state that, they earnestly trust the reduction in importa- ’ tion duty will be vigorously opposed •when the Customs Amendment Bill is ' Blought before the House, and also ‘ that the proposed excise duty on locallymanufactured pipe-smoking tobacco will be abolished as well as the proposed increase. in excise , duty on other locallymanufactured tobacco, and the duty on ' all imported manufactured tobacco increased, thus affording further protection to the local industry. In view of the fact that preparation for the coming season’s crop should bo attended to immediately and no contracts have as yet been furnished, they request that the question receive immediate attention.