Corso seeks clarification

Press, 15 August 1984, Page 9

Corso seeks clarification

PA . Auckland Corso will seek an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, asking him to clarify the Government’s position on taxdeductibility of donations, says Corso’s general secretary, Mr Ross Stevens. However, he said Corso would not change its policy

of funding projects to fight oppression and injustice within New Zealand. Mr Lange said on Monday that Corso could not expect to have tax deductibility on donations restored unless: most of its funds were spent' on aid and relief overseas. Deductibility was withdrawn by the National Government in 1979 after Corso

embarked on its controversial plan to get involved in justice issues within New Zealand. Mr Stevens said Corso’s annual general meeting at the weekend decided to establish a separate fund for work inside New Zealand that would be “quite apart from our normal budget.” “As we understand it at

Bresent8 resent Mr Lange is saying rat donations spent on aid overseas are tax deductible, while donations spent within New Zealand are not. New Zealand projects would be an addition to Corso’s normal work, and those who gave money for them would know beforehand that the work was intended for home use, Mr Stevens said.

“We certainly want to clarify whether this is, in fact, what the Government is saying.” The meeting at the weekend also strongly confirmed Corso’s international project work, said Mr Stevens. “We are still predominantly an overseas aid agency.”