TAXATION IS KILLING

NZ Truth, Issue 1187, 30 August 1928, Page 11

TAXATION IS KILLING

Public Pays Too Dearly For Betting Privileges (From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Auckland Representative.) Though the direct revenue reaped from racing* during* last, season was something: like £20,000 less than from the previous twelve months, m round figures it reached over the £400,000 mark.

THIS sum is supplemented to even a greater extent by means of railway transit, special passenger trains, 'etc. _, . „, ... . __„;__ The racing public .rs paying dearly for its sport. So far as the Government is concerned, it certainly displays no immediate intention of reducing the taxation on betting privileges. When questioned on the matter the "heads" point out that the clubs have really nothing to complain about—in short, that it is the public which pays. „' ..... , * "That is quite true, but racing and trotting olubs are beginning to realize that if they cannot obtain some relief and make the burden lighter there is the danger of loss of popularity. Somewhere m the'vicinity of 3/- is paid for the privilege of placing a pound through the tote. This consideration alone has driven much speculation into illegal channels. ... . , j.,*, . A direct charge of 14J/2 per cent. is made, which, with fractions, brings the charge up to about 15 _eP gent |n a|| It would not be so bad if there was a straight-out charge of 15 per cent,

on the spending power of racing enthusiasts. As a matter of fact, it would' be fairly safe to estimate it at 60 per cent, before the day's proceedings on a racecourse are concluded. ]sj 0 definite estimate 'can be made, but when the racing season is concluded it is probably "odds on" the public, which go a-racing, having contributed towards the upkeep of the fame and for treasury purposea. at . ast 80 Percent, of the cash intended 101 L speculation, + To give some idea of what racing taxation really mounts up to, it may be mentioned rates and taxes m connection with the running of Takapuna lagt season .(f OUr days' racing) totted up to £15,979 9s. 9d„ of which the Government pocketed £15,295 4s. sd. ' The stake-money, distributed during the four days' racing was £12,750, considerably less than taxation, rates, etc., and even less than the Government, reaped m taxation. . , country may need the money, bu* is not right that racing enthusiasts should be drained financially to the extent they are. It is time for the Government to be reasonable. -,