CLERGY AND INCOME TAX.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 March 1920, Page 3

CLERGY AND INCOME TAX.

•i ! 1 SIR. JOSEPH WARD REPLIES TO. j REV. HOWARD ELLIOTT. WELLINGTON, March 4. ?d ” In a statement handed to the “Dominion” on the eve of his departure for re Australia, Sir Joseph Ward makes the following reference to his controversy 31 ’ with the Rev. Howard Elliott: e | There wa s a statement sent by the as Press Association throughout the Do- . (minion in criticism of any Win ton speech, by the Rev. Howard Elliott, . that I had not explained as late Minis- | ter of Finance, why Roman Catholic j clergy are exempt from income tax, ,jj whilst Protestant Clergy are liable. As I find this is being reiterated, and an • attempt being made to make people U believe it is true, I shall be glad if you ( will publish the following letter sent ;g by me to the Prime Minister on the , matter, and the reply of the Commissioner ofN Taxes : Wellington, March 4th., 1920. Minister in charge land and Income Tax ._ Department, Wellington.—Dear Sir, — 'Would you be good enough to ascertain e 1 from the Commissioner of Taxes • (1) Whether- Catholic priests are ex—t empt from income tax. (2) If so, under what statute, and when and by whom such was introduced and passed by Parliament. (3) Whether at any period of my administration any de- } cision bearing on such question was L asked of or given by me. I shall be . obliged if you would direct a reply >o . be furnished to me to-day. . j In reply I received the following comm'unjeation : —Sir, —ln (reply to , your questions I have to say: (1) Catholic priests are not exempt from income tax, if in receipt of stipends exceeding the statutory exemption, j (2) The answer to this question is ,in. ! necessary in view of the answer to the j first question. {3) As far as I am aware , this matter has never been referred either to you or to any other Finance Minister. I have been an officer of the Department, occupying a responsible position ever since the Land and i Income Taxes Acts have been in force , a nd lamin a position to say that had such a thing ever been done, I would Jin.ve been aware of it.—D. G. Clark, ‘ Commissioner of Taxes.