WAR TAXATION OPINIONS.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2558, 4 September 1915, Page 3

WAR TAXATION OPINIONS.

Sir,—Nothing like, an opinion from all, including fools. . The extreme wise can ■then..better drive away any doubts disturbing their original definite conclusions,._ancl our legislators can put into operation measures to inoreaso the revenue with a more satisfied mind, because the public have vented their ideas, land'say, "Surely from all wo can select something popular, practical, and which will giye the desired, revenue?" The duty on kerosene is a direct thrust at the ba'ck-blocker, for it-provides the only serviceable light he can get. Every farmer lias not derived :.hugo profits from the war; therefore do not make martyrs of all for a few. But it 'will ■ pay to discriminate. ' Tax 1 heavily all forms of_ amusement and pleasure; too much gaiety is not consistent with the hundreds of sorrowing homes around us. Costly drapery,, picture-shows, totalisators, etc., can well be taxed. Make the postage 2d._on letters, as it used tobe.Do away with unnecessary public works and put tho workmen to ; do the more necessary labour of the Dominion. Produce from the soil all possible, which is tho true wealth of the country. Make 1 the wealthy drones of the community ' pay. in incomc tax. They can livo on ] ordinary fare as we do, and would be ' better for it. 'We' do not want this , Tourist Department, costing so much i yearly. . I'ebplo who want to travel will | do-it just as-.easy, as they did before I tho Department was created. Because the rich can get their wines, beers, and so on, a suggestion .is made, "Tax sugar and tea/'- the only beverage obtainable

in tho baclc country, and where so much h used. Get a tax on to those big oxporting firms, and on to tlioso who are daily exploiting tho trusting public. Lot our M.l'.'s look to somo of theso sore spots, and not be always endeavouring to pour more physio/ into tho.. already I Loalthy toiler. Let not class distinction deter them from doing their duty; at present thero should not he any class distinction. If the wealthy won't shell out, and, for tho timo being, subsist on plain diet, then let them pay for it by making first-class lares on railways anil such like a bit stiffer., Get at the right classes and the extra rovenue will soon bo there, without those taxed being tiny the worse for it. Where wealth is detected through extravagance, tax it.— I am, etc., MERELY SUGGESTIONS.