UNEMPLOYMENT TAX

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 78, 2 April 1931, Page 10

UNEMPLOYMENT TAX

PAYMENTS OVERDUE

OFFICIAL WARNING

LEVY MUST BE PAID

. The Minister of Labour (the Hon. S. G. Smith), who is chairman of the Unemployment Board, made the following statement in an interview to-day:— "Payment of the second instalment of the unemployment levy was due on Ist March, and had to be made before the end of that month. Up to the present time the aggregate payments are far below the amount due, and it is therefore apparent that thousands of individuals are voluntarily accepting the penalty of sixpence per month or part of a month, which the Act provides for default in any payment of an instalment of the levy. "But it is necessary tc issue a reminder that the Act 'makes provision for other penalties. All instalments of the levy that are" not paid on the due date or within one month thereafter constitute debts due and payable to the Crown, and are recoverable in any Magistrate's Court. In addition to the penalty^ of sixpence per month, those who omit to pay any,instalment of the levy are liable, on summary conviction, to a fine of So. And, finally, a worker who lias not paid his instalment cannot be employed on any of the Unemployment Board's relief schemes. "Employers also have considerable responsibility in respect to the levy. Section 21 of the Unemployment Act is as follows: — Every person shall be guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction by a flno not exceeding £20 who at any time after the first day of December, 1930, (a) Employs in his service or continues in such employment for more than seven days any man who, being required* to bo registered under this Act, is not. so registered; or (b) Without the authority of the board, employs in his service or continues to employ in his service for more than seven days any man who is in arrears for more than one month in the payment of any instalment of the unemployment levy under this Act. "There is no provision in the Act for an extension of time for payment, nor for any variation in the amount to be paid; therefore it is suggested that contributors who have not yet paid should do so without delay, so that there shall be funds available to provide •work for the many worthy folk who sorely need it."