NEW AUSTRALIAN REGULATIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 August 1930, Page 7

NEW AUSTRALIAN REGULATIONS

UNEMPLOYED TAX. POSITION OF NEW ZEALAND SEAMEN, While the crew of the intercolonial passenger steamer Maheno were at Melbourne on the occasion of that vessel’s last visit to Australia, the men received their month's wages. They also received an unexpected surprise when they were informed that, according to the new regulations, each man would lie taxed a penny on each pound drawn towards the unemployment relief tax. The tax was paid. Now New Zealand seaman are wondering how they will fare if a similar tax is imposed in New Zealand, Will they be required to pay the tax both in New Zealand and in Australia?

When the Waikouaiti was at Sydney about a fortnight ago a circular was received on board that vessel from the Government, which read;— “New South Wales Unemployment Relief Tax.—The above tax provides that employers collect 3d for each £- of income paid and earned in New 'South Wales. Income includes wages, overtime, payment'in-lieu of holidays and time off. To income is to be added the following hoard allowances:— £5 per month (Ss per day) for mast, ers, officers and engineers, and £4 10« per month (3s per day) for nil other ratings. The tax is not applied to wages paid outside New South, Wales. Payments in lieu of holidays and paid in New South Wales are to be taxed on the full amount.”

The tax will be a heavy drain on seamen yngaged on Home vessels, which make a stay of from a month to six weeks on the Australian coast. In the case of the Waikouaiti the crew did not get a pay at Sydney and so far escaped the tax. But they are not certain whether a demand will be made for the tax when:the vesesl returns to Sydney. . •,•■•