TAXATION CRIPPLING BRITISH TENNIS

Wanganui Chronicle, 19 December 1950, Page 2

TAXATION CRIPPLING BRITISH TENNIS

LONDON, Dec. 17.—The president of the Lawn Tennis Association (Lord Templcwood) has been voicing protests at the “crippling” taxation on sport, particularly on tennis. Speaking at the association's annual meeting, he said that last year the Lawn Tennis Association had to pay £8560 sterling in income and profits tax, and over £12,000 sterling in entertainment tax. This was despite the fact that the association devoted all available resources to encouraging an important branch of national athletics. “On top of this £20,000 sterling charge has to be added the high purchase tax on racquets, halls and nets. Tax is no less than 24/s on a good racquet, over 18/- on a dozen balls and nearly £1 on a medium-quality net. These impositions seriously affect the cost of the game and make it more and difficult for the Lawn Ten-

nis Associations individuals, clubs and players to encourage the game and raise the standard in Britain. “The Government admits the gravity of the position by making a grant of £64,000 yearly to the central Council for encouraging physical recreation. It is a strange position when the Government takes a great cut out of British athletics with one hand and gives it back in subsidiW with the other.”