TAX EVADERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 225, 22 September 1945, Page 5

TAX EVADERS

THEIR NAMES TO BE PUBLISHED DEBATE IN THE HOUSE. (P.A.) Parliament Bldgs., Sept. 21 Speaking in the estimates debate on the Land -and Income Tax Depaitment vote in the House of Representatives to-day, Mr. T. C. Webb (OPP- —Kaipara) paid tribute to the "efficiency, courtesy and reasonableness” of the officers of that Department and added that he hoped an early opportunity would be found to improve their working promises. He commended the Minister for the policy of decentralisation and said this was a step in the right direction which would repay handsomely the cost entailed.

I Mr. Sullivan (Opp., Bay of Plenty) queried an item of £750 for the expenses of the excess profits committee. He described the excess profits tax as one which was instituted for the exploitation of industry. Such exploitation was hindering the expansion of industry and if the system continued there would not be increased production. Mr. Sullivan wanted to know what the Treasury derived from the tax and was the Minister satisfied that the tax should be continued now that the war was over. The Minister of Finance, Mr. Nash, said there would be an amendment to the Land and Income Tax Bill this year, which, when brought down, would explain and disclose the Government’s proposals and policy. The excess profits tax had been introduced for the purpose of preventing people (exploiting tne war situation. 1 He went on to say that the number ’ of income tax inspectors had been increased. He added that it was unfair that honest people had to pay taxation for the disnonesu

Mr. H. T. Morton (Opp.—Waitemata) agreed with the decentralisation policy, but said it did not go far enough. He suggested the adoption of the English system, where every borough and district had resident in-come-tax collectors. There were a great many tax evasions to-day, and ho would like an assurance from the Minister that the treble penalty clause was being inflicted by the department on offenders.

Mr. Nash said the names of tax defaulters were published in Australia, and it was proposed to do the same in Now Zealand. Mr W. S. Goosman (Opp.- Waikato) asked would the names of people who could not pav income tax be published? Mr. Nash said they were not 1h? people aimed at. It was not a case of naming honest pennle, or those who could not pay. but the names of those who had beaten the Government. He tho” bt. there was a case for publis]--l’:n » names of those who failed to I nav lbct taxes through making in;correct returns. I.ack of staff in the Income Tax Department meant a loss of two millions a year. I Mr. Gn?'"ninn disagreed with Ihc loninion ihat. there should he tax collectors in everv town. Anvon? could -•av lheir into th? Post Office, or into Ihe p ublic Account, through th? p ank of New Zealand. II? deplored the idea that fax evasion was general. There wer<« a f4'- who were not nieetip.: their liabilities hut th? mnioritv of reonl? were honest, and meeting all tbnir nblirzations. Mr. N.- b - a'bnf is eiifireh correct.