NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2420, 27 March 1915, Page 6

NOTES OF THE DAY

While the State may desire to give recognition to those who subscribe to the patriotic and relief funds, it-does not appear that much will be attained by their exemption from income tax. Mr. Allen, in a speech at Gisborne, stated a few days ago that the Department has suggested to him that contributions, to the funds should be deducted from'incomes in assessing incomo tax. He added, according to the Press report, that no was inclined to exempt the givers from either land or income tax. Bfetwecn the Department's proposal and the. Minister's there is a wide difference. The one is an inconsiderable allowance 'of sixpence or so in the pound on every pound given, whereas the other is - a complete .exemption, presumably, corresponding to the amount of the gift. The Department's proposal, while theoretically just, will mean the loss to the State of considerable revenue without notable benefit to anybody. Mr. Allen's, own tentative plan provides for a_ substantial recognition of the patriotism of the voluntary givers. At the same time it will deprive their gifts of the full merit to which they are entitled. The gifts wore unconditional. They were a practical expression of a desire to aid the State_ over and above the calls of taxation. That, we think, was the spirit behind most of them. It may be that we are wrong. But at least if exemption is given it should' not be as a matter of course bv the State, but on application by the individual.

Thanks to the British Nary, the Arbitration Court, after eight months of war, finds conditions in New Zealand so nearly normal that it is able to resume the hearing of industrial disputes. The decision of the Court will commend itself to most people. There is nothing to warrant a further general suspension of its activities. Some industries have been adversely aff6cted by the war, but the majority are proceeding very n-.uch as usual, and in a number of cases increased prosperity has ruled. As Mr. Justice Stringer pointed out, the obvious course is to take the disputes as filed, and consider each in the light of the different considerations applying. His Honour plainly intimated that unions will be well advised not to seek increased wages and improved conditions in industries suffering as a result of the war. There was many a long mile between yesterday's court-room and the grey warships keeping their vigil in the wastes of the North Sea. But it is well to reflect that the connection between the two is a close one. For whatever improvements in working conditions the Court mayaward during the currency of the war, those who benefii will have to thank the officers and men of the Royal Navy.

The prospect of an increased price for the city milk will not bo relished by the public. The milk supply question has cropped up periodically for years past, and if th 6 present difference between the dairy farmers and the milk vendors leads to some radical action by the Corporation it may prove a blessing in disguise. The Mayor has taken a step in the right direction in inviting representatives of both sides to meet him at a round-table conference. No dispute was ever the worse for face-to-facc discussion under an impartial chairman, and Monday night's gathering should help to clear the air on the various points at issue between the _ two parties. Mr>. Luke in convening it is at least making a direct and prac-' tical effort to prevent another increase in the cost, of living. Such a(j effort is worth i bushel of the

generalised resolutions now being adopted by local bodies up and down the country. Complaint has been made by a correspondent that Petone passengers are allowed insufficient time; to board the early • morning train into the city. The point was raised at the Coroner's inquest following Wednesday's fatality at the Petone Station. It appears that the victim of the accident, Mr. William Crawford, met his death through falling , between the carriages when attempting to board the train after _it was in motion. The evidence did not show that this particular fatality , was due to the .train making too! short a stop at the station, but the occurrence should act as a warning to tho Railway Department. A: large number of passengers travel from , Petone by this train every morning, and many women araamongst them. It is much better business to delay a monient or two than risk a fatal accident in the scramble to board the carriages.