DOMINION NEWS

Grey River Argus, 25 August 1945, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS

CROSSING SMASH P.A. NAFIER, August 24. At the inquest, the Coroner added a rider that, as the driver of the lorry attempted to cross the railway line in contravention with the regulations, no blame was attachable to the rail-car driver. He also made a recommendation that compulsory “Stop” signs and automatic signals be placed at tne crossing. TRADE UNION FUNDS. WELLINGTON, Aug. 23. A ciucstion about tax exemptions on the salaries of trade union secretaries was asked in the House of Representatives to-day. It was answered in part by a private member and by the Minister of Finance (Mi ash) Mr Sutherland (Nat., . Hauraki) gave notice to ask the Minister of Finance if he would advise the House whether it was correct that secretaiies of trade unions had been informed that half their remuneration could be regarded as expenses, and therefore exempt from social security, national security and income taxes, and, if so, would he instruct the Commissioner of Taxes to allow some deduction in the case of secretaries in similar organisations. Miss Howard (Govt., Christchurch East): I’ll reply to that now. No. Mr Sutherland asked if the. Minister was aware that the Commissioner of Taxes had ruled that for the purpose of income tax assessment trade unions should be regarded as friendly societies, and their funds exempted from taxation, and, if so, would the Minister instruct that the same concession be extended to other organisations of a like nature. Mr Nash said he could answer the first part of the question at once. If was not correct. Opposition members: What about the second half? The Minister said that could go on the order paper.