AN OFFICIAL SUSPENDED.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 248, 25 November 1909, Page 3

AN OFFICIAL SUSPENDED.

:* JUDGES' REPORT. 1] j] STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER. | ( by Telegraph-Press Association. \ Wellington, Last Night. , In the House of Representatives this evening, the Premier fade a statement In connection with the enquiry by two Judges- of the Supreme Court" into the , (barges laid by the officers of the Land < •nd Income Tax Department against Mr. Peter lleves, Commissioner of Taxes; < - : ntezrity and administration w< > ''d in letters addressed tothePiii i : ited November Ist anl Jth. They contained a statement as to the assessment of the writers' incomes and other business, but as the lette*s Bould not be made public, the Government had asked two Judges to act as k commission to investigate and report On the charges. The report of the latter iwas received on the 18th inst., but, owing to the illness of two Ministers, it Could n<v'. be (le It with by Cabinet unjtil Tuesdf--. It was impossible n;ider the law, he Raid, to publish evidence Or the report, is they contained references to taxpayers and their bu* ; ness. He would state, however, that th- commissioners had absolved Mr. Heye= from any sinister design or dishonest purpose. His administration had b'en carried out with much ability. The evidence showed that considerable friction existed between Mr. Heyes and several of his subordinates. Also there was considerable doubt as to bis prudence in evercising his discretion in connection with the assessment anl collection of taxes. The latter charge would be tested shortly by a Crown law officer. Meanwhile the Government had decided to suspend Mr. Heyes for thr'c jnonHis and Mr. Richardson, of the Government Life Office, would take the pr>- !( ion from Monday next in addition to his own duties. This would enable any litigation which miiht be found necessary to nroceed under an independent tribunal. The Premier indicated thrt a probable change would l,e made in Hie direction «/ anpointin? a '•oard to a«isl the Commissioner of Taxes tn carrv'nuf hi- duties.