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Hokitika Guardian, 10 November 1928, Page 4

the tyre tax paid into the Main Highways Account Bovemie Fund- a tax which did not go to swell the customs returns in 1014. It is decidedly instructive. further, to examine the details of the customs revenue for last year. As presented by the Minister of Education in a speech in the north last week they are as follows:

Spirits, wine and beer ... 1.281.000 Tobacco, cigars and cigarettes 1.407,100 Motor vehicles 782.019

£'3.661.388 Foodstuffs 348.241 Apparel, draperv and textiles ‘ 1.608.227

Fancy goods. jewellery, kinematograpli films etc. 217.360 Metal manufacturers 379.513 Machinery 275.468 Earthen, china and glassware 117.724 Stationery 90,938 Timber 67,715 Miscellaneous 684.337 Primage duty (1 xx?r cent.) 406.669

Total 7.942.589 It will be seen, therefore, that over £3.500,000 wa.s collected on spirits, wine and beer, tobacco, cigars and cigarettes and motor vehicle's. This constitutes what may bo called luxury, taxation, which the working-man does not necessarily have to pay. But it makes up a large proportion, almost half, of the 51.71 per cent, of the total revenue represented in what is derived from customs taxation. Analysed on these lines it will he seen that what actually happens to the working man is very different to the figures the Labour Party are seeking to foist on audiences as to the estimated payments tlie people pay when the total is averaged over the whole population. Actually the comparison the Labour speakers are making is a grotesque one. and we notice it is going the rounds ns part of the general nmimin' tion served out to Labour candidates all over New Zealand. But the whole argument is built on a fallacious foundation and if readers will study the sources of customs duty as given 'above they will see at once the various classes under which they would likely contribute. There are other aspects of this question, but consideration must lx? deferred to-day.