RACING TAXES

Hokitika Guardian, 22 May 1929, Page 3

RACING TAXES

AND TOTE FACILITIES

GOVERNMENT ATTITUDE

By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, May 21

A. deputation which waited on the Prime Minister to-day represent the racing, trotting, and hunting interests in the Sports Protection League. The Minister of internal Affairs, Air I)e La Pereile was also present. The deputation asked for a reduction of the taxation on racing clubs. It was stated that the Government received £564,798, while the clubs’ share of the tote m .ney, after paying expenses, was only £458,841. The deputation also asked the Government to introduce an amendment io the Gaming Act, providing for facilities of telegraphing investments on racecourses, and the publication ol dividends.

In his reply Sir Joseph Ward said that the matter of taxation was a very important one, and he could not be expected to give an off-hand answer that day. He was quite aware of the movement which the deputation represented as Minister of Finance. The importance of racing to the country was recognised by him. He had been looking closely into the financin’ position in the last few months, bu the results would only he known wlioi Parliament met. Some changes ii incidence of taxation would have to hr made. He did not wish to comniil himself at that moment as to what h* would do regarding the representation l of the deputation either as a membeof the Government or in his private capacity, hut an opportunity would h given for the representations made t he fully considered by the house. Thai was as far as he could go. Tn air case, his experience showed that iwould not ho a proper thing for him to bring down Government proposals He took it that the deputation w.*v not certain of the attitude of tlie House. He had analysed the position, and he could not find that a majority of the House would he ir favour of the change desired. However. he would undertake to ascertain definitely what tlie feeling of member' was. From all parts of the countw he had received communications ask ing him to accede to the desires of do potations, but he con'd not sec hi way to do that; nor did he think i reasonable for anyone in his position to he expected to do so. The representations made would he fully considered by the Government, and the House would have an opportunity of considering #lie matter in detail during the coming session. Whatever influence the deputation could bring fe hear, lie presumed, would he exercised. To a large extent, the responsibility developed upon themselves. He knew his own course, but lie did not know what the course of the Government o' - of the House might he. The matter was of importance to the Government from a financial point of view, and lie would .see that the representationmade were fully considered by the House. Tile matter would receive consideration before the financial proposals were submitted to Parliament next session.

Speaking generally on tlie question of taxation, Sir Joseph added: “Change must be made in the incidence of taxation. That goes without saying. AVe cannot have a large deficit without taking tlie necessnrv means to fill up the vacuum. Tn other words, the position cannot bo allowed to drift, because the year wo are in brings its responsibilities. Of necessity, the whole question of finance has to he surveyed and reviewed, and certain proposals submitted to Parliament in connection with it.

Regarding the telegraphing of tote investments and the publication oi dividends, the Prime Minister said lie would give facilities in the coming session for the House to discuss t!io matter, hut the measure would not- be a Government Bill. His first duty would be to ascertain the feeling of the House towards the measure, but bis analysis was that the House would lie against such an amendment, although the deputation had said that the majority of the House would be in favour of it.