PAYMENT OF INCOME TAX TO STATE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7047, 8 February 1910, Page 1

PAYMENT OF INCOME TAX TO STATE

CLAIMS UPON A SOUTHERN FIRM IMPORTANT LAWSUIT PENDING. It will be remembered tliat before Parliament adjourned in December the prime Minister stated that legal proceedings were .pending in reference to a case arising out of the investigations made by their Honors, two Judges of the Supreme Court, into certain questions arising out of the conduct of the Land and Income Tax Department. It .is now announced that the proceedings are t'o oomo before .the Courts in Christchurch next Week. It is probable .they will be of particular interest to traders and all persons required to make statements of their income for taxation purposes. The claims are based upon allegations of fraud upon a revenue department of State. Many thousands of pounds are sand to bo involved and one of tbo defendants is a member of the Eegislative Council, for many years a prominent supporter of the Government. It is understood that when the case comes on for trial that tho evidence will disclose how complicated were the questions the Prime Minister recently had before him. and upon which, owing bo t/herr confidential character, he has been unable to make, any public statement. - , PRESS ASSOCIATION. CHRISTCHURCH, February 7. Information has been laid by the Income Tax Department against the Hon. G. J. Smith, George Bowron and! WiUhlam Bowron, trading as Bowron Bfos.. for having made wilfully false returns under tho Land and Income Tax Amendment Act for purposes of evading duty properly . {payable under the Act. A very largo sum is involved. Defendants are liable on conviction to treble duty and a fine of £IOO. . The case will como on fox hearing at the Magistrate’s Court next Tuesday. :