RECEIPTS ISSUED UNSTAMPED

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22307, 22 January 1938, Page 20

RECEIPTS ISSUED UNSTAMPED

PROSECUTIONS BROUGHT

WARNING TO THE BUSINESS y COMMUNITY r

(PBKSS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, January 21. Six prominent city firms were charged before Mr J. H. Luxford, SJUL, with issuing unstamped receipts. Twopleaded guilty and were convicted and ordered to pay costs. It was explained that the charges » were based on the issue of what the,-;;. department regarded as receipts, ana that in two of the cases there was no doubt about the forms being regarded' as receipts. The purpose of the prosecution was. to draw the attention of the commer- - cial community to the laws laid down about the issue of a receipt. In one case a cash docket used by the firm was stamped at the top. "Yoor receipt, thank you," and in another "Received from cash the sale sum of £5." Others differed in certain respects. The department did not ask for any penalty as the cases were intended as a warning. Questions arose during the proceedings of whether the firms should consult the Government department. Dr. N. A. Foden. who prosecuted on behalf of the Stamp Office, saying that he did not think they should ring up the office. It would be better if they consulted their legal advisers.

The Magistrate: You would be surprised to know how many people even ring me up to find out what they should do in certain matters. Dr. Foden: At the same time I «o not think the Government offices should be consulted. The Magistrate: There I differ from you very materially. I think it is the duty of Government departments to advise the public whenever possible on matters relating to the department concerned.