CATTLE KING'S TAXES.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18231, 15 November 1924, Page 2

CATTLE KING'S TAXES.

HUGE SUM INVOLVED.

STORY OF CORRESPONDENCE.

OJBOX ODB OW. COBMBruTOJSST.) SYDNEY, November 4. . "I am averse to taking legnl proceedings against you, but I am. compelled to ask you to arrange without delay for the immediate lodgment of outstanding returns.". In these terms, Mr It. Ewing, Commonwealth Commissioner for Taxation, wrote to Sir Sidney Kidman, who is said to owe the Taxation Department nearly. £170,000.

The letter was. included in the official file of the cattle king, which was produced 'sit the Royal Commission into that gentleman's alleged taxation evasions the 'other day. In. reply, Sir Sidney Kidman wrote that ho'had had si very bad time during the last; few years. "I hs'.d practically no income," he added. "What I nude in one direction I lost in another."

Referring to his shipbuilding enterprises, Sir Sidney said it looked as if be would lose £ISO,CCO over the Coal. He went into it from patriotic motives, he said, and the whole burden of payment had fallen upon him. .Mr Cussen, who is representing Mr Scullin, M.P., who instigated the enquiry, directing attention to Sir Sidney's 1014 taxation, totalling £4079, dropping in the following year to £274, and in 1916 to £321. He askedi for reasons for the difference.

John "William Ryan, of the Department, explained that- certain Crown leasehold taxation was suspended in the latter period. Mr Oussen: And it was not universal; you helped the big man every time. Kidman paid what he liked, when, he liked.

The following precis of some of the correspondence 'between the Taxation Office «nd Sir Sidney Kidman was submitted to the commission:—

Due date of lodgment' of return of Crown. Leasehold, August 3lst, 1914: Extension to April 30th, 1915.

April' 30lh: Sir Sidney wrote expressing regret for non-lodgment, and promising returns, next week.

May 11th and 21st: File resubmitted on account of non-lodgment of return. May 30th: Commissioner allowed 14 days' extension of time. June 3rd and 10th: File re-submitted on account of non-lodgment of return.

June 15th: Reminder issued. June 18th: Sir Sidney acknowledges reminder, and advises that John Jolly, his agent, will send in return in course of few days. " June 22nd: Commissioner decided to await the.lodgment of return. July 22nd: Beminder tesue'd to Sir Sidney. August 12th: Sir Sidney writes stating,the difficulty experienced in compiling the return, and trusts John Jolly has submitted the return at the time of -writing.

August 24th: John Jolly asked when the return may be expected'. September 9,th: John Jolly asked to expedite action

'September 13th: J. B. Wright, for Kidman, advises he'hopes to have return, completed during coming week. ; ' September 30th: John Jolly expresses regret, and an extension of time sought. October 15th: Reminder issued to Jotn Jolly. ■■ ' , .. November 18th: Sir Sidney notified of his personal liability, and informed if return received within 14 days penalty would not be enforced. • November 23rd: Sir Sidney acknowledges letter with thankj. and states he: was under impression return was pent in. ■ December 14th: John Jolly- reminded.

" This sort of correspondence continued until a return was received, following a> threat of prosecution, on March 11th, 1916.. _ The above precis covers one tyDewriten slip, and there are six j more similar slips,-, dating urvto Sep- ; J teniber, 1924. - - *-: •■•■•.