On the Second Reading of the Bill I put a question to the Minister for Finance which, I am sure by inadvertence, he did not deal with in his reply.
Finance (Increase of Income Tax) Bill, 1931—(Certified Money Bill)—Committee Stage.
In connection with the matter that the Senator referred to, we considered that and decided against it. I do not know that I would like to discuss it at any length. We felt that while the organisers of the sweep got a good deal of the money from abroad they had a good many difficulties to contend with. If there was a direct Government revenue from the sweep, it was felt that those difficulties might be increased. There were a number of other reasons of a somewhat similar character which made us feel that on the whole it would not be wise to try to get revenue from this particular source. If it had been intended to hold, say, only one or two sweeps, I would not have seen any objection to coming in, but as it looks like a thing that will go on for a considerable time, we ought not, so to speak, make any attempt to kill the goose.
Bill passed through Committee without amendment.
Bill reported without amendment.
Report Stage ordered for Thursday, 19th November.