AMUSEMENT TAX.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16142, 21 February 1918, Page 4

AMUSEMENT TAX.

« A. AND P. ASSOCIATION'S DISSATISFIED. CONFERENCE TO BE HELD. A letter v.as received by the Cantor* bury A; and P. Association yesterday from the New Zealand Council of Agriculture, stating that a request had been received from the Manawatu | A. and P. Association, asking the New , Zealand Council to convene a confer- j once of defegates from the various A. | and P. Associations to discuss the incidcnee of the uiimsement tax as it | altwtod the Associations. The executive had acceded to the request, and a confercucc n-ould be held in Wellington; on. Wednesday next, to which the Canterbury Association was invited to send delegates. There appeared to be a good deal of dissatisfaction in regard to the tax generally, and considerable variation in the amounts levied, and the object of the conference \v;i6 to secure uniformity. The chairman (Mr J. Deans) said apparently every local collector was a .law unto himself. Apparently the Canterbury Association had been let off very lightly. He proposed that Messrs R. W. Loehhead and the seeretary (Mr 0. J3. Pemberton) be appointed the Association's delegates, and that they should protest against the tax altogether. The tax was a most iniquitous thing. Mr C. H. Ensor said he did not agree altogether with the chairman's roma.rks. The people who attended picture shows, and those who erected picture'buildings, should pay the tax, but not A. and P. Shows; The chairman agreed with these views. Mr W. Hay ward said it seemed most, iniquitous that any loeal officer could over-rule the pledge which had been given. The chairman said the had i been civen by Sir Joseoh" Wa"rd to himself. ' A member: That makes it worse. Mr-«rs Loehhead and Pemberton were appointed the delegates. i