NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 November 1915, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

MAORI WAR MEDALS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Nov. 25. The board that "was set up about eighteen, months ago to investigate claims for the Maori war medal and pension concluded its work to-day, when a number of claims were dealt with. A report has been forwarded to the proper authorities and, the board's functions having been discharged,, it ceases to exist. FARMERS' INCOME-TAX RETURNS. Wellington, Yesterday. Some complaints have been heard lately in various parts of New Zealand from farmers who are being required to furnish a return of their income for income tax purposes. Formerly income derived from the land was exempt from taxation, but the Finance Act of last session made an important change, with a view to securing for the State a share of the war profits caused by the high prices of staple products. The new law makes all income from the land liable to taxation and places all persons in receipt of income on the same footing. The profits derived from the use of the land by the owner or any other person from grain, sheep, cattle, or any live stock, from the extraction, removal, sale, or treatment of minerals, flax, or timber rents, royalties, fines, premiums, or any other revenue, including goodwill of any business, are now assessable. Profits made by dealing in live stock, etc., must also be returned as income. These points are made clear in a statement issued to-night by the Premier dealing seriatim with the items in the form of the return asked for on November 15. RETURNED SOLDIERS. Wellington, Nov. 25. There were 245 sick and wounded soldiers being treated in various hospitals and convalescent homes throughout New Zealand under the supervision of the Public Health Department. Forty men are at Rotorua, 17 at Hamner, 46 at Dunedin, 13 at Christchurch, 22 at Wellington, and 28 at Auckland, the other men being distributed over the Dominion in accordance with the department's, policy of sending every man, where possible, to the hospital nearest his home. Referring to these figures to-day, the Minister in charge (the Hon. G. W. Russell), stated that some of the returned men were showing a tedency to tubercular disease. Six cases of this kind were being treated at the Waikato Sanatorium and ten cases at other sanatoria. THE PRICE OF FLOUR. Wellington, Nov. 25. The Prime Minister informed a New Zealand Times reporter to-day that he had received a communication from the Colonial Sugar Company regarding the price of sugar in New Zealand. The company, which provided practically all the sugar consumed in the Dominion, pointed out that the price of sugar in New Zealand at the present time was lower than in any other part of the world, although the primage duty imposed by Parliament during the recent session cost the company 3s 6d per ton. It was not intended to interfere with the present arrangement, and the price of sugar in New Zealand would At be increased.

THE NEED FOR PASSPORTS. Wellington, Nov. 20. An official communication has been received by the New Zealand Government from the Imperial authorities to the effect that the Aliens Restriction Amendment Order of earlier Government issue had been amended so as to include all British subjects. This means that restrictions similar to those placed upon persons leaving New Zeaalnd is now applied in Britajn, photographs in addition to a passport being necessary. a CONCESSIONS TO RETURNED SOLDIERS. Wellington, Nov. 26. Mr. Massey announced to-day that the request of "the deputation of returned convalescent soldiers for additional uniforms and underclothing has been granted and the men can apply at once. The other requests for free railway passes and an additional 2s allowance during the convalescent period away from hospital will be referred to the Defence Minister on hig return to-night.