DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 April 1924, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAM PER PRESS ASSOCIATION,

PRICES -MUST FALL.”

TRADE COMMISSIONER’S VIEWS

WELLINGTON, April 3

His -Majesty’s Trade Commissioner in New Zealand, Mr Noel Elmslie, says that New Zealand prices must recede it we are to retain ail our British trade. "Some manufacturers in England,” says Air Elmslie, "arc in a very critical condition. Take the cotton manufacturers. The position with them at present is very serious, and it is quite probable that many of them will have to close down. For two years they have been working without profit and absorbing capital to retain the world’s trade against overseas competitors, and. they cannot carry oil; while, it they attempt to increase prices, they nil, lose their trade. To a certain extent that is what all manufacturing firms are doing in England to-day. "How is New Zealand meeting the •same world conditions*' When the ILiti.sh Government purchased a qua it:i-y of preserved meat from the Argentine the resulting outcry was answered very much to the point in the English Pro.?, where it was stated that the Argentine product was 35 per cent cheaper than

those of the dominions. That is leaving quite out of the question the fact that, the Argentine methods of ra.ming are better and their product probably quite as good—it may he better—at a 35 per cent reduction in price.

"It is just the same with New Zealand butter, which is quoted at 7505, while Argentine is 14,05, and Sib man 120 s. How can tlie people of England, on wages which are only 60 per conk of those in New Zealand, afford to give New Zealand the preference of ; 111eliase? New Zealand, if it wishes to secure trade, must do the same as most other centres in the world are th ug to-day—bring down its prices to the level its customers can afford to pic.” BUILDERS FINED CIOOO. AUCKLAND, April I. Fines totalling L'looo were imposed in the L’olicc Court to-day by Mr Boynton. S.M., on William Janies Grevatt, and his sun, Charles Edward Grevatt, run tractors, who wore charged with having wilfully or negligently made false income returns. Five charges were made against each defendant, covering a period of five years. it was shown by the prosecution, and ulmilted i>y the defendants, that a sum >! approximately C2O,t!UU had not been laid to the Department. .Mr -Meredith, in oiitlingiug the case,

said that llie main question was as to whether the incorrect returns had been supplied wilfully or negligently. The defendants were building contractors. I'he actual income tax paid was 2<7(i for five years, whereas U 20,685 should have been paid, the shortage being over 220,000. Large returns were not

accounted for in the firm’s returns, and the tax was not paid on them. The actual amount of income tax paid by Charles Grevatt was 2132, during five years, instead of the correct amount of .210.612. William Grevatt had paid L'ijtl whereas lie should have paid 210.313. For tile defence, -Mr Richmond said the Grevatts would light any suggestion that they tried to defraud the Government. He admitted that llie hooks

were compiled in a careless way. The .Grevatts were not trained business men, and were really totally uneducated 011 matters of business. I hey were well known contractors, but did not realise the money they woie making. Counsel said the defendants were honestly anxious to pay what had not been paid. They should not he branded as dishonest men.

Mr Boynton said the fact remained that these people nad not paid tax to the extent of £2(1,000 ami had not shown reasons for if. 11? would take it as negligent. If not wilful, then it was a remarkable ease of negligence, so gross as to he almost incredible. The defendants were tilled the maximum penalty of 2100 on each of Die ten charges, with costs. Taxation commissiox. OAM All U, April 4. In the course of an interview with a representative of the North Otago "Times” the Prime Minister said that the Older of reference for the 'luxation Commission would he as wide as possible, but it would lie .confined Indirect taxation. It was hoped Unit the Commission would report in a dew weeks, and that a Bill would he brought down next session, dealing with taxation.

PALMERSTON X., April 4. On behalf of the Dairy Farmers’ Union, Mr P. J. Small < Provincial President's has wired the Premier at Wei-

lington : —■ “Consider it unfair to the producers that the Taxation Commission should consist of business men only, and we stromdv urge equal representation, as this question is of equal, if not greater importance to farmers. AYe also consider that it is unfair to take evidence at the four centres only. Such proceduie is certainly favouring tho business and city men.’ We strongly urge equal facilities should he given by including the main island towns in the Commission’s itinerary.’

WAPITI SHOOTING. INVERCARGILL, April 4 Three more Wapiti heads were secured in the west of Southland by a party of North Island sportsmen. One bcaii was within four inches of the American record head, and is a magnificent specimen. The party had a glorious trip, and although no moose were seemed, plenty of traces of them were found.

SERVICE STILL BLOCKED. AUCKLAND, April 4. The weather throughout to-day has been fine. Reports from the country districts indicate that a torrential rainfall has been fairly general. Communications with Whangarei has heen cut off by railway and by telegraph. Throughout the. North Auckland district, the telegraph service has been interrupted. A bridge four miles south of Warkwortb lias been washed away. Several bridges have been washed away and many slips have occurred on the main road south of AVaipu. ’ Reports from AVaipu state the district was badly flooded.- Gangs are working nigh tarnl day removing slips from the Railways throughout the flooded areas in the province. RADIO FROM ANTARCTIC. AVELLINGTON. April 4. The '.following radio message from Captain Hooper (Government Representative with the iXorweginn-Ross Sea (whaling expedition) was received to-dav bv the Hon G. -T. Anderson (Minister for Marine)“Entire expedition new at Paterson’s Inlet, securing whale catchers for the winter. Proceed to Port Chalmers on the Btli.