TWELVE CHARGES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 146, 22 June 1945, Page 7

TWELVE CHARGES

UNPAID WAGES TAX

MUSICIAN FINED

Twelve charges of breaches of the Social Security Act 1938, were brought against a musician, Edward Donald Croad (Mr. Simson) before Mr. S. I. Goodall, S.M., this morning. Mr. Rosen, who prosecuted, said that defendant was in business as a musician, running the Embassy Dance Club, a band which played at the Orange Hall in Newton Road and in other dance halls in the city. There were some 11 or 12 men in the band, and at the conclusion of each dance or function they were paid wages. In a month there would be from eight to fifteen occasions on which wages would be paid by defendant, and in each case social security and national security taxes should have been deducted.

Defendant was seen in 1938, and the matter of wages tax was brought to his notice. He was seen again in 1944, and as a result of that investigation the present charges were laid. The defendant was then helpful in straightening the matter out, and himself made a statement in respect of the wages paid by him during the period April, 1943, to March, 1944.

liarge Sum Involved Defendant explained that books had been kept for him by an employee, who had subsequently left, and other books had been destroyed. As a result, defendant was liable for payment of tax for a period of five and a half years amounting to £945 0/1, and penalty of £94 10/, making a total of £1039" 10/1, Mr. Rosen said. Mr. Simson said that prior to 1943-44 defendant had kept books and paid the tax, but the books had been destroyed and as a result he would have to pay it again.

Regarding the period to which the charges related, bands were in demand then and defendant had been told by members of his band that they could get as much money as he was paying them elsewhere-without the deduction of tax.

Defendant had that unfortunate habit of prevarication, counsel stated, and now he would have to pay the tax himself.

Referring to the large total sum defendant had to pay, counsel said that he would be handicapped for a long time come, and he wou'd have to pay off the amount in instalments. Counsel asked the magistrate not to add too greatly to defendant's burden. "Not the Thing to Do" "The case is a serious one," commented Mr. GoodalL "In these days of democratic government there is a duty on employer and employee to fulfil their obligations. It is all very well deriving benefits.from the State, but citizens had a duty to perform."

There was a section of the community who thought it was the thing to do to dodge .their duty. That was not the thing to do, said the magistrate, who pointed out that those who did not fulfil their obligations, shed the burden on others.

A fine of £20 on each of the first two charges was imposed and defendant was convicted and discharged on the other counts. i