AFFECTING THE COMMISSIONER OF TAXES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 602, 27 November 1909, Page 3

AFFECTING THE COMMISSIONER OF TAXES.

On Wednesday night the House of Representatives got from the Premier a summary of the report prepared by the two judges who enquired into the charges affecting the Commissioner of Taxes (Mr P. Heyes). Rumour has been busy, and, as usual, with more malice than fairness (says the Post). After absolving Mr Heyes from “any sinister design or. dishonest purpose,” and warmly praising his administrative and organising abilities, the judges’ report—according to Sir Joseph Ward’s resume —stated that “there was disclosed considerable friction between Mr Heyes and some of the officers under him ; also considerable doubt as to the. prudence of the exercise of his discretion in connection with the assessment and collection of the taxes due by the different persons” (specified). The Premier explained that it was the intention of the Government to get the Crown Eaw Office to test the points raised, and in the meantime the commissioner would be relieved of his duties for three months. Mr Massey contended that the judges’ report, with the names of the taxpayers excised, should be at once placed before Parliament, but the Post cannot agree that this request is fair at the present stage,and we have no respect whatever for his argument that the Premier’s line of action will lead the public to “get an impression, rightly or wrongly, that something is being withheld.” The case of the commissioner is stjU sub judice ; more will be heard cn it. We take it that Parliament, when the proper time comes, w iil get all the information to which it may be entitled. We have always advocated due publicity for matters of grave public importance, and we shall look for it in the present case in due course, but it seems to us that for the present the Premier’s line of procedure is one demanded by common fairness.