NEWS BY MAIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 July 1922, Page 1

NEWS BY MAIL.

ENTEIITAINAI ENT TA X

RICH REVENUE IN AUSTRALIA

SYDNEY, July 12. An evidence of the value of the Entertainments Tax to the revenue of Australia is revealed in figures as to money received from this source, made available by the Federal Treasury.

These show that picture theatres provide by far the most popular form of amusement that there is in the Commonwealth. Even racing and the “legitimate” theatre cannot compete on level terms with the drama of the screen. The Treasurer supplied particulars showing that the amount of tax collected in the periods shown was as follows : £ July Ist, 1920, to Decembet 31st, 1920 318,379 July Ist, 1921, to December 31st, 1921 323,921 The Entertainment Tax assessed for each class of entertainment for the year ended June 30th, 192], was as follows: £ i Racing 116,225 Theatres 116,863 Picture shows 297,895 Dancing and skating 29,169 Concerts 17,295 Miscellaneous 65,941 £643,388 TO BANISH WAR. AUSTRALIAN UNIONS’ PROPOSAL. SYDNEY, July 12

Some interesting resolutions in regard to the influence of labour on the prevention of further wars were carried at the recently-concluded Second Trades’ Union Congress in Melbourne. The principal motion carried was the following“ Whereas wo believe another war to he in the nature of things capitalistic, and whereas wo view with suspicion the Conferences at Washington and Genoa as responsible for mere,]y a re-alignment of war-like alliames, and whereas, despite till disarmament measures increased preparations for war are being made in the world’s laboratories and factories, and whereas wo four that another war to end war will end civilisation, enlturc and progress, and whereas international working class action is essential to the preservation of permanent peace this Congress declares its uncompromising hostility to all forms of militarism and war, and urgently calls upon the workins to at once organise to prevent war by linking up with each other to oppose the designs, methods and machinations of capitalistic Governments, and as a first step in this direction this Congress instructs the Council of Action to convene a Pan-Pacific Conference of working-class organisations to meet next year in Australia simultaneously with tlie r Pacific Science Congress.” It was decided to direct all Trades’ Unions to hold demonstrations against war during the week of the anniversary of the commencement of the war.