EMPLOYER SENT TO GAOL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 27 October 1941, Page 4

EMPLOYER SENT TO GAOL

FAILURE TO ACCOUNT FOR SECURITY TAX DEDUCTION FROM W AGES Auckland, Oct., 25. "It can go out as a definite warning that any employer who deducts social security tax and fails to account for it will go to prison unless there are very exceptional circumstances." said Mr Luxford. S.M., dealing with Vincent Jonathan Woods, battery service station proprietor, who appeared in the Magistrate's Court on two charges of failing to furnish an income tax return, two charges of failing to declare income other than salary or wages, and 14 charges under the Social Security Act of failing to account for tax deduction from wages of employees. Woods pleaded guilty to all charges. His counsel. Mr Burt, said the offences were due to business jddlejment and were without fraudulent in- ! tent. The magistrate said that what counsel said would not deter him from imposing a term of imprisonment. On one of the 14 charges Woods was sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment I with hard labour. He was convicted [and discharged on the remaining 13 ; Social Security Act charges while on ithe other four charges minimum fines |were imposed. Mr Burt had asked that as this iw; the first case of its kind the magistrate should treat his client leniently and impose ? warning. Mr j Luxford replied that he was amazed [that anyone would think that such a serious offence could be dealt with other than by imprisonment.—P.A.