FRENCH TAXATION SYSTEM IN TAHITI SLATED BY N.Z. MAN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18013, 25 November 1926, Page 7

FRENCH TAXATION SYSTEM IN TAHITI SLATED BY N.Z. MAN.

(Special to the “ Star.') AUCKLAND, November 25 A correspondent to the “ Herald ’ states that he was interested to read that French wool buyers object to payment of a £lO tax for the privilege of being in New Zealand, and points out that New Zealanders have to pav for a similar privilege in the French

possessions. He gives his own experience m Tahiti, in 1925. Before leaving New Zealand he heard a rumour that there was a ISO francs tax in Tahiti, and on inquiry at the French Consulate in — Auckland he was informed that this was unlikely because there had been no notification of this. Before he <■ ould get back his passport at Papeete (it had been taken from him on the trip by the French inspector) he was compelled to pav 658 francs, plus a further 200 for the privilege Of leaving Tahiti. He also declared a wireless set at the Custom House, Papeete, where its value was assessed at 4000 francs, to which the visitor entered an emphatic protest, unavailingly, however. He was told that it would be undutiable if he got a guarantee that he would re-export it. Last night he heard from the Tahitian guarantor that the latter had been forced to pay 1200 francs, although the wireless had been re-exported. The writer suggests that if it is right for New Zealanders to pay 200 francs to leave a P'rench possession, French wool buyers should in fairness leave a memento in the Treasury on their departure from the Dominion.