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Hokitika Guardian, 22 August 1930, Page 4

The Government has been successful in securing the passage of its Finance Bill in the Lower House with only minor amendments. This must be regarded as something of ' a special achievement ill all the circumstances, though the Premier, Mr Forbes, has all along made it plain, he must have the money lie budgeted for to balance the l national finances for the current year, in the estimates of the revenue to be produced, it is interesting to note that the Minister of Fnapce hopes for £7o,r 000 from amusements and £IOO,CQO from the totalisntor, These are the two largest items. They, of course, will be considered luxury and are not compulsory as they - may he avoided legitimately by staying away from the rendezvous where the tax is payable. Be that as it may, the levying of so large a sum will have an illeffect on the picture show business, and racing must be bit badly also. The companies promoting picture entertainments will find tlieir income reduced and profits diminished, and in one notably instance already, a large firm operating in the Dominion is not able to pay a dividend. The racing and trotting clubs have been making their objections manifest, but without avail, and it is obvious they will ha.ve a bad year generally It is not possible for the sport to carry the burden of taxation it lias to bear, while in opposition there is an illicit opportunity to back fancies without an i mined .a e legal levy. If this class of opposition wer.o removed sporting bodies could face thd future more cheerfully, and it remains to lie seen if Parliament will meet the situation at least to some extent with remedial legislation. The highways taxation has also passed the. ordeal. The system is being recast, and in its present position local bodies will benefit, hut there is no guarantee as to the future. In the legislation passed, certain annual obligations aro now cast on the Highways funds which did not exist before, and these become a first charge. If the petrol levy is reduced later, as most probably it will, there will he less income, hut, the statu* tory payments will still be required, and that will mean a. smaller balanre for the local bodies than heretofore, This is a risk which the change.is causing, and it might materialise next year when the whole matter is to be reviewed again. However, Mr Forbes was bent on securing bis adjustments for this year, and displayed Ids strength of purpose. In the interval there will he more time to con over the difficulties of the position, hut in the end it is most desirable that the high level of taxation- should he on Red. as much as possible, and the prospective relief cannot come along too soon,