TAX ON NEWSPAPERS

Taranaki Daily News, 19 November 1926, Page 9

TAX ON NEWSPAPERS

N.S.W. PREMIER'S PROPOSAL. “BACK TO THE BAD OLD DAYS.” By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, Nov. 17. Mr. Lang's proposed newspaper tax finds a prominent place in all the English newspaper headings. The papers express astonishment, and 'point out that he has gone back to the bad old days of 1712, when the tax was imposed in England, and finally alxrlislied in 1855. SCHEME STRONGLY DENOUNCED. FEELING IN AUSTRALIA. Sydney, Nov. ft.” The newspapers generally, taking time by the forelock, strongly denounce Mr. Lang’s threatened tax on air printed publications. The measure is described as mediaeval legislation, which will press particularly heavily on the smaller country and suburban papers and will sound the death-knell of a goodly number and thereby add to the unemployment roll. Country interests are also sore over Mr. Lang’s proposals to increase railway freights and convert a portion of the main roads vote towards meeting other expenses. Rumours are rife about trouble among members of the Ministry and the ranks of the Labour Party over Mr. Lang's proposals and methods. It is persistently reported that Mr. Loughlin intends to resign from tho Ministry and challenge Mr. Lang for the party leadership. A stirring time is anticipated when the House deals with the vexed State Governor question and the Budget.