INCOMES AND TAXES

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25227, 4 July 1947, Page 8

INCOMES AND TAXES

MINISTER MENTIONS PUBLICATION

REPLY BY CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

Publication of the names of defaulting employee taxpayers in the Gazette, in the same manner as the names of those who have evaded taxation are published, was suggested by the Associated Chambers of Commerce in a recent letter on the collection of income tax arrears sent to the ActingMinister in charge of Land and Income Tax (Mr A. H. Nordmeyer). In his reply, which was read at the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce council meeting last evening, Mr Nordmeyer asked if the Associated Chambers' wish would be met if the Government were to arrange for the incomes of all persons to be published together with the tax assessed and the tax paid. Mr Nordmeyer said there was a vast difference betwen a taxpayer who wilfully deceived the department as to the amount of his earnings and the taxpayer who defaulted for a period in the payment of his just tax. From time to time there had been suggestions that the names of all taxpayers and the amounts of their tax should be published. In its reply, the Associated Chambers of Commerce agreed that there was a distinction between the two types of transgression, but submitted that the difference was not necessarily as vast as Mr Nordmeyer suggested, because the result from the standpoint of the State was the same.

“We desire to make it perfectly clear, however, that we are entirely opposed to the principle of publishing the names of taxation evaders or any other law-breakers in the Gazette.’ added the letter. "It is our view that the legislative provision involved was badly conceived and savours of vindictiveness Nevertheless, we still submit that if the names of tax evaders are to be published, then there is equal justification for publishing the names of persons defaulting in the payment of taxation, whether they are emuloyees or employers. “In regard to your suggestion that the names oi all taxpayers, together with particulars of their income and taxation should be published, we take it that this proposition is not made seriously. Lf. however, you are definitely of the view that such a course should be followed, we submit that a public pronouncement on the question should be made without delay, as a matter of this nature is obviously one of vital public concern and should not be left in any doubt.”