"ABSOLUTELY UNTRUE."

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14472, 12 September 1910, Page 5

"ABSOLUTELY UNTRUE."

THE TAXATION CHARGES.

MR. HAYES MAKES A DENIAL.

[B* TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.)

Wellington, Saturday. Mr. P. Hayes, late Commissioner of Taxes, was asked to-day by a reporter whether he cared to comment on certain statements made by Mr. T. E. Taylor last night in the House of Representatives. The comment of Mr. Hayes was that the allegations and insinuations were not based on fact and were grossly unfair. Mr. Taylor submitted that it had been proved that Mr. Hayes was a partner in one or more businesses in Wellington. " That is not true. .It was not proved," stated Mr. Hayes.

Another charge which Mr. Taylor said he believed had been proved against Mr. Hayes was that he had permitted a certain adjustment of income tax accounts because he was under a monetary obligation to the people concerned. That is absolutely untrue," said Mr. Hayes. "I cannot characterise the allegation too strongly."

Referring to another portion of Mr. Taylor's speech, Mr. Hayes remarked, "There is an insinuation underlying Mr. Taylor's suggestion that, payment of income tax was accepted minus ten per cent. — ordinary penalty for late payment. • This insinuation is absolutely untrue."

" I have never benefited by one iota in the administration of my Department," concluded Mr. Hayes, " and it is grossly unfair to me to make these false insinuations and charges which are so damaging to me. It is bad enough for me to be in my present position, yet members of Parliament, knowing that they are protected on the floor of the House, are disseminating statements that injure me. I have to make a living and these insinuations are interfering with me."