P.O. Tax Menace to Trade
P.O. Tax Menace to Trade is an article published in the Daily Express on 29 september 1915.
P.O. Tax Menace to Trade
DRAPERS' MEETING OF PROTEST.
Among the latest trade associations to protest against the proposed abolition of halfpenny postage are the—
- London Chamber of Commerce.
- London Association for the Protection of Trade.
- Stationers' Association.
- Christmas Card Association.
Printers, publishers, and retail dealers interested in the picture postcard trade met at the premises of Messrs. Raphael Tuck and Co., in Moorfields, yesterday, and passed a resolution that the charge would be disastrous to the trade and result in a serious loss of revenue to the country.
"Before the war," said Sir Adolph Tuck, who presided, "the production of every kind of picture postcard was to a large extent in the hands of the Germans, and the plant and machinery which have been laid down by British firms with the object of capturing that trade will now have to be scrapped."
"If the British cause could be advanced by this proposal,"
said Sir A. Conan Doyle, a director of Messrs Raphael Tuck and Co., "we would gladly see the trade destroyed. The resultant loss of revenue, however, will be more than any gain that could be achieved. Distress will be widespread among tradesmen right down to the little village shop."
London and provincial drapers, meeting in council at the Cannon-street Hotel yesterday, expressed the retail textile industry's condemnation of the proposal.
The question was raised by a letter from a London firm pointing out that trade circulars were generally sent out in districts, and caused little trouble or expense to the Post Office, which made considerable profit out of them. One speaker said that great, loss would result to traders who had bought large stocks of Christmas cards. These were contracted for long before any one thought there would be no halfpenny post at Christmas.
SCOPE OF NEW TAXES.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced last night that tyres and all accessories of motor-cars are subject to the new import duties, as are castings and forgings in an unfinished state, but intended to be used as parts of cars. He is considering whether the duties are to be imposed on all industrial motor vehicles, public service cars, and agricultural motors, and whether the proposed petrol tax shall apply in full to trade and public service motors.
Companies engaged in business abroad and liable to British Income-tax will come within the scope of the excess profit tax. The increased tax on patent medicines has been postponed until October 20.
Notices were posted at public telephone call offices yesterday that on and after Friday the price of calls will be raised to threepence.
At a meeting of piano manufacturers held last night at the Midland Grand Hotel it was decided to increase the price of pianos "to meet the new import duties."
