THE AMUSEMENTS TAX.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 September 1917, Page 7

THE AMUSEMENTS TAX.

DISCUSSION IN PARLIAMENT. (From Our Parliamentary Reporter)'. Wellington, Sept. 5. „ Tho amusement tax came under fire in the House to-day, though the clauses authorising it were adopted finally without amendment. Mr. Veitch (Wanganui) said that the principle of the tax wa« wrong. TJhere were some killjoys who would liko to prevent the people going to picture shows, but they did not tax motor-cars ,or other amusements of the rich as (heavily in proportion as they proposed ,to tax the pictures. The taxing of the people's amusements at the present timt of stri>s3 and anxiety was highly undesirable. Mr. Hudson (Motueka) argued that tho tax did not touch the poorer classes, since it applied only to tickets costing more than sixpence. This argument brought other country members to their feet. They pointed out that tho normal charge for entrance toi picture shows in the country was one shilling, not sixpence, so that the tax was really a country tax and not a town tax. Mr. Isitt (Christchurch North) said he had not a bit of sympathy with the "squashy sentimental talk about not taxing the people's amusements." Mr. Buick (Pa'merston) urged the Minister to stand to his guns. The \people who could not afford the extra penny for the tax would not be harmed by reducing the number of their attendances at tho picture shows as their contribution to war sacrifices. Mr. Hindmarsh raised a laugh.by reminding the House that in 1910 Sir Joseph Ward said an amusement tax could not Ibe collected and would tend to spread gloom among the people. The Minister for Finance said that many opinions had to be changed in war time. Mr. Webb (Grey) threatened to divide the House on the subject, but changed his mind after the bell had been rung, and the clauses wero passed.