A DOCTOR'S DILEMMA

NZ Truth, Issue 985, 11 October 1924, Page 5

A DOCTOR'S DILEMMA

Trivial Little Matter Of Few Thousands

Negligence m Computing Income

The income of Dr. Ernest Cuthbert Barnett, of "Palmerston North, is apparently large enough to allow that medico to go through life m the reputedly happy frame of mind referred to colloquially, and usually enviously, as "not having to worry about money." However, he has lately been brought face to face Avith the necessity for better auditing- of his large income. At the Wellington Magistrate's Court, where he was fined £300 the other day for having failed to register proper returns with the Income Tax Department, it was stated by Magistrate Paj?e that a very indifferent system of books had been kept by the doctor. Mr. J. M. Tudhope, of the Crown Law Office, explained that besides his medical practice the doctor held larue farming interests. According /to the returns furnished for 1920, 1921, and 1923, his income was respectively £1609, £1745, and £209.0. Some few months ago an inspector investigated his affairs, with the result that the income for the years m question was shown to be £5350, £''4747, and £403 ii The tax actually paid was £130,. ££23, and £123, whereas it should have been £1494, £907, and £360. The net result was a discrepancy m income returns of £8739, and a deficiency m the tax of £2385. Having gone fully into the details, his Worship held there was no evidence of wilful intent to defraud the department, but there was evidence of negligence, and he imposed' fines of £100 on each of the three counts. An application was made *at the same time by Mr. A. W. Blair, counsel for defendant, for an order suppressing publication of the doctor's income. He contended that the Act provided 'Jor this information being treated as a secret. .

On Mr. Tudhope stressing the value of publicity as a deterrent m such cases, the Magistrate said, he must stick fast to the principle of open reporting m the Courts. The point raised by Mr. Blair referred to internal management, and did not prevent the figures necessary for the prosecution from being stated, m Court. "It does not cover the present case," added the Magistrate.' "The whole policy of our Courts is that they 'are open to the public and the Press,, and it would oe improper for. me to direct that the.?e matters be suppressed, even if I had' the power." <