THE BIBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1933, Page 2

THE BIBLE

SALE NOT SUBJECT TO TAX.

WELLINGTON, Feb. 10.

The Customs Department’s definition of the Bible as “a religious tract, handbook, or folder,” or ■ Sunday school lesson sheet,” was criticised in the House of Representatives to-day by Air W. E. Barnard (Lab., Napier). Upon the introduction ’ of tho Sales Tax Bill the Minister for Finance (the Rt. lion. J. G. Coates) said he had noticed in t.ho newspapers that some citienzs were greatly concerned because tin; Holy Bible was not included in the list of exemptions from tfie tax. The Bible, he said, was not specially mentioned, because it was customarily included in the groups, religious tracts, handbooks, and folders,, ana Sunday school and day school lesson sheets and cards.

“It is perhaps not surprising that the Book should be overlooked, seeing that there is such a disparity between the policy of the Government and tho principles of the Bible,” commented; Mr Barnard. ‘-The Minister has said that the Bible is included in groups 302 and 306. The Bible is something more than a religious tract. It cannot by any stretch of the imagination be called that, but if it is regarded as a Sunday school lesson book, we read that when such lesson books contain reference to Christmas, New Year, or Easter they are -:~.o longer exempted. It is a matter of common knowledge that the Bible does mention these festivities. The proper thing to do is specifically to include the Bible. 1 .