THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 1922. THE AMUSEMENT TAX.

Otaki Mail, 15 March 1922, Page 2

THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 1922. THE AMUSEMENT TAX.

Although the door receipts of the Otaki horticultural show last week were probably the lowest in the history of the Society, owing to unfavorable wea ther conditions, nevertheless the Soeiety was called upon to contribute to the revenue of the Government through the Amusement Tax. Its contribution is certainly small this year, amounting t a no more than lOs 6d, but the questict is -whether there

5 justification for the .reposition of the tax upon such bodies as horticultural sociotie?. Tne object of these societies is educative, and by jij> stretch of imagination can they be Vrotigfa unuc-i the same heading as conceTSf X«« foT ?‘ rivat * ¥*&■ A f* i - - jj*-* kas bc©n oiadP parently no'ch>:-^ lUil - , * v 1 x r-ii\ tor monfej” between an amusement ru- * -•*- making and a society that promoteshows without any idea of private gain. Horticultural shows are an asset to any community, and proauce <t hea. thv competitive spirit am or.g gro-.e... This spirit should be encouraged to the full instead of a restraining influence being put upon it in the form of the amusement tax. The same argument might be applied to 'A. and P. Shows, although in the metropolitan sxi there is a certain amount of

amusement provided by the sideshows. Nevertheless these bodies, like horticultural societies, in view of the benefits they confer on the country snould bo exempt from taxation —an opinion that will find general support throughout the country. Under the circumstances, the position might well be reviewed with the object of the removal of. the tax in the case of these bodies.