FIRST PROSECUTION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18204, 27 September 1933, Page 11

FIRST PROSECUTION

SALES tax returns METHODS CRITICISED (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Severe criticism of the Customs Department and its administration of the sales tax regulations was expressed by Mr. H. P. La wry ? S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court, when the first prosecution in New Zealand was brought by the department under the Sales Tax Act. The magistrate characterised certain actions of the department in the case under his notieo as illegal, and suggested that in view of the facts two of threo charges should be withdrawn.

To the collector of customs and sales tax for Christchurch, Mr. C. 0. TVownson, the magistrate suggested that the department was making a scapegoat of the firm concerned.

Mr. Trownson finally agreed to withdraw two of the charges, and the magistrate reserved his decision on the other count.

The Sterling Clothing Manufacturing Company, Limited, was charged with failing to deliver to the collector of sales tax a return setting out the aggregate amount of sales value of all taxable goods sold by the company during the month ended’ May 19. Similar charges were laid in respect of the months ended Juno 19 and July 19.