THE PRIMAGE DUTY
MEMBER’S PRACTICAL VIEW
WELLINGTON, August 15
As one who had retailed goods to the public for thirty years, Mr Munns (Roskill) assured the House to-day that the one per cent primage duty imposed by the Government could not be passed on to the consumer. The one per cent had been added so that the Government might make up its deficit, and it would not have been put on even temporarily Lad ready money not been required. ' “l* don’t l’lm it any more than anv one o-sef” confessed Mr M,unns, “because no young politician likes to come here and find his Government taking a course with which he does not agree in its entirety. I admit that it is a pity it could not-have been done some other ivay, but money had to he found, and as a general thing I say that this extra one per cent primage cannot be passed on.”
Mr Munns said he had imported much crockery and hardware and had worked on an average of one-third profit, which was the least anyone could succeed on. The trumpery amount of one per cent simply could not be passed on by the average trader. For instance, on a pound of tea at 2s, primage represented one-fifth of a penny. That tea would still he sold at 2s a pound. In the case of sugar, it worked out at something like ljd per bag. South African jam—and it was a pity that any of it came into New Zealand when we had so much of our own fruit —would pay 1-19th of a penny. Whisky —and that- was a subject that struck very near to the hearts of some people —would pay only 3-sths of a penny.
Facetious cries of “Shame!” ,It /seemed to Mr Munns that the primage duty had been made a bogey. He admitted it might add to the cost of luxuries, such as motor-cars, imported hoots and Paris models. He had known of a frock recently bought in Wellington, ifor 80 guineas. Who would object to putting primage duty on that? He only,hoped such luxuries were taxed to the extent of ten, twenty,- or even fifty per cent. Mr Samuel: Would you be in favour 'of confining primage to luxuries only?
Mr Munns: I would be in favour of confining the member for Thames if he doesn’t keep'quiet.
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Hokitika Guardian, 17 August 1929, Page 6
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396THE PRIMAGE DUTY Hokitika Guardian, 17 August 1929, Page 6
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