CLERGY'S SALARY AND INCOME TAX

Otago Witness, Issue 3443, 9 March 1920, Page 49

CLERGY'S SALARY AND INCOME TAX

SIR JOSEPH WARD'S STATEMENT. WELLINGTON', March;*. In a statement handed to the Dominion on the eve of his departure for Australia, Sir Joseph Ward makes the following- reference to hie controversy, with the Rev. Howard Elliott:—"There was a statement sent by vhe press throughout the dominion in criticism of my Winton speech by Mr Howard Elliott that I had not explained, as late Minister of Finance, why th 6 Roman Catholic .clergy are exempt frop» income tax whilst Protestant clergy are liable. As I find this is being reiterated, and an attempt is being made to make, the people believe it is true, I shall be glad, if you will publish the following letter sent by me to the Prime Minister on the matter of the reply of the Commissioner of • Taxes. Wellington, March 4, 1920.; Minister in charge Land and Income Tax Department, Wellington. Dear Sir.—Would you be good enough to ascertain from the Commissioner of Taxes (1) whether Catholic priests are exempt from income tax; (2) if so, under what statute, and when and by whom such was introduced jnd passed by Parliament; (3) whether at a period" of my administration any decision bearing on such question wad asked of or given bv me ? I shall be obliged if you would direct a reply to be furnished to me to-day. In reply ' 1' received the following 66mrounieatiori:'■— Sir, —In reply to your questions I have to say: (1) Catholic priests are not exemot from income tax if in receipt of stipends exceeding the statutory exemption; (2) the answer' to this question is unnecessary in view of the answer to the first question; (3) as far as I am aware this matter has never been referred either to you or to any Finance Minister. I have been an officer of, tin department occupying, a responsible position- over since the Land and Jncome Taxes Acts have been in force, and I am in a position to say that had such a thing ever been done I would have been aware of it.—D. G. Clark, Commissioner of Taxes.