TAILORS AND SALES TAX

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 108, 31 January 1935, Page 10

TAILORS AND SALES TAX

4 Christchurch Decision COMMENT BY MINISTER OF CUSTOMS By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, January 30. The decision of certain tailoring firms in Christchurch to suspend the payment of sales tax pending reconsideration of the incidence of the. tax on the tailoring trade by the Minister of Customs, Kt. Hou. J- G. Contes, .was commented upon ,by Mr. Coates in a telephone conversation to-night. "I am not going to dispute, their arguments at present,” said Mr. Coates, “because there is a proper method of arranging these matters. 1 would suggest that it would be better policy for them to continue paying the tax. That is not a threat, but I had hoped that they would leave the matter in the hands of the Minister, who knows their position intimately. The retail tailoring trade is having a very bad run. and I am very sympathetic with the tailors. Their position is quite exceptional. but if they reach a position in which lhev don't pay they are almost holding out a threat. I know they do not mean if. that way, but it may make it more difficult for me if they take up an attitude which suggests a stand against making payments.” Inquiries made to-day show that the tailors in Christchurch are by no means unanimous in the decision not to pay the tax, and that some of them realise the serious consequences of refusal.