Together
pp. 55-56 · Read in the full issue
Japs and Tax-gatherer Arrive Together
IN view of what happened within 30 days, an issue of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Gazette, on Novem ber 5, is regarded as a piece of grim humour.
The Gazette provides that, as from January 1, 1942, income tax shall be payable within the Colony as follows: Single persons without dependents, 1/3 in the £ on all income over £175 a year; married persons or persons with other dependents, 1/3 in the £ on all income over £425 up to £2,500; 2 6 in the £ on incomes from £2,500 to £3,000; 3 9 in the £ on £3,000 to £5,000 and 5/- in the £ on incomes over £5,000.
On December 8, the Japanese arrived in the Gilberts, where two firms (Bums, Philp & Co. and On Chong & Co.) had been trying desperately to carry on; and now there will be no income to pay
taxes with. In the Ellice Group, the copra industry is dead, for the moment.
There may be a few taxpayers left among the Phosphate Co. staff on Ocean Island, but their contributions will be modest.