DECENTRALISATION PLAN

Chronicle (Levin), 6 August 1946, Page 5

DECENTRALISATION PLAN

-Press Association

REPORT ON PROGRESS OF TAX DEPARTMENT

Bv Telecj.raph-

^ WELLINGTON, August 5. A report on the progress being made with the decentralisati'on of the Land and Income Tax Department, was given in the House of Repiesentatives tonight by Hon.. W. Nash.. He said new brauch olfices are already functioning al Whangarei, Auckland, Xew Flymouth, Wanganui,. Wellington, Dunedin and In vereargill- while a branch at Christchurch will be open to the public next Monday. The Minister said oihce premises at Palmerston North, Xelson and Greymouth were expeeted to be ready for oceupation. during the present month and it was expeeted these branches would be- open to the public early in Beptember.

The Minister gave details of count.ies whose business would lie dealt with by these- neiv branch ottices and said residents of cities, boroughs and towns iucluded in the respective areas, would be handled b^r the branch office in eacli district. The opening date of the new branches would be advertised Jocally. The Minister said it was hopcd to have three more offic.es functioning at a reasonably early date but in Hamilton, for instance, there was difficuUty about obtaining a suitable building. Mr. W. J. Pol'son: D'o.you expect to meet the cost of these local offices from additioiial taxation. Mr. Xash: Yes. When the taxpayers know wliat they have to pay and can go and pay it at a local bffice, they will do so.. Mr. Nash, answering a further inquiry, said- each office would probably be in the charge of a d'eputy commissioneT with power to act.