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Were war tax stamps valid for normal postage or revenue purposes or were they only used as additional franking to collect the war tax?

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Canadian war tax stamps were used as normal postage. (similar to a semi-postal, ex: 2 cents postage, 1 cent war tax).

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In the Falkland Islands the stamps were valid for postage, only invalidated in 1951. Here are just War Stamps paying postage (the cover sent by a Post Office Clerk)to the US. No War Tax was payable on covers sent outside the Empire, so this is franked at Foreign + Registered Rate. The Falklands continued printing War Stamps in 1920 to satisfy the demand from collectors!



Falkland Islands War Stamp cover to USA 1919

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Nice cover.

I think all B/C country War Tax stamps were valid for normal use.

The original idea, at least in most of the Caribbean Colonies, was that the stamps would be used solely to pay the War Tax, in addition to the regular stamps.

This is why some colonies first had ½d stamps overprinted.

The ½d stamp would be applied in addition to the regular 1d or 2½d stamp.

It quickly became obvious that this was unworkable and too confusing for the public, which is why 1½ and 3d stamps were produced next- so the regular rate + War Tax was included on one stamp.

Actually, covers showing the 'correct' use of ½d War Tax stamps in the right period are fairly scarce.

This is just a general statement of course, some colonies issued combined rate stamps from the start.

Australia did not issue separate War Tax stamps. Instead, postage was increased by ½d (although it was noted as being a War Tax) and the additional revenue went into the Consolidated Revenue Fund (out of which all government expenditure, including war costs, was paid).

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Peter
Hawthorn - AFL Premiers 1961, 1971, 1976, 1978, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991, 2008.

as did the USA

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Caj Brejtfus, PSE
"I am serious... and don't call me Shirley." Airplane! - 1980

War Tax was not implemented in Australia till quite late, WWI was almost over.

Even in WWII, there was no War Tax until Japan entered the war (almost 2 years after the first Australian infantry divisions were shipping off to the Middle East).

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Peter
Hawthorn - AFL Premiers 1961, 1971, 1976, 1978, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991, 2008.