Scullin, announces drastic measures to curtail "luxury" imports and a super-tax is imposed on others; including beer,—spirits, matches, textile piece-goods, felt, furs and clothing containing cotton, silk, art to reduce imports to) $10,000,000 year. In 1927-8 impets totalled £143,600,000.
The Prime Minister said that the super-tax would not apply to gonds in bond or in transit.
Mr, Scullin mentioned that 9 super-tax would be imposed on certain "luxury" imports, including ver, spirits, matches, textile picces goods, felt, furs and' clothing containing cotton, silk, artificial silk or an admixture of wool and other fibres, The Prime Minister described the Government's action as "an emergency measure" to reduce imports to £10,000,000 a year.
Apr. 4.
In the House of Representatives to-day, replying to Mr. Latham, the late Minister of Industry, the Pre mier, the Hon, J. H. Scullin, said that' the present intention of the Government was to ration items by proclamation, but alterations might be effected later by taking off some ines and putting on others.
Following the announcement molle by the Premier, Mr. Seullin, yesterday, a proclamation in detail has been issued by the Customs which prohibits the importation of a long list of articles, including eggs, confectionery, drier-fruits—exeept' dates and. figs—liquid preserved fruits, cocoanut and peanut butter, pickles, sauces, chutney, furs and skins, partly wholly made-up, and rugs, except floor rugs.
The following are rationed to the extent of fifty per cent of the imports Inst year: potable spirits, manufactured tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, snuff and locomotives.
The following are rationed: in similar manner and are liable to a fifty per cent. super-tax: all other of bes ers, porter, cider, spirituous perry, perfumed spirits, bay-rum, wines—including unfermented grape wine—vermouth, matches and vestas.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.