PENNY HALF-PENNY GOVERNMENT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2842, 5 August 1916, Page 7

PENNY HALF-PENNY GOVERNMENT

. Sir—When the history of iheso times comes to be -written 1 think tho National Government will be known as the "penny-halfpenny Ciovernment" (halfpenny on postage, 0110 penny on cheques and receipts), a vexatious interference Kitlu the habits of the people that has resulted in the wholesale avoidance of tho charge, by combined cheques and postages, and hand, of postal matter in the town. * I write this. becauso I notice that "proposals are being made to extend the life of the present Parliament. 1 know that many people think that the great war has shown the failure of tho professional politician, and many are of the opinion that if ati election could bo held, very few of the present members would get back. Is not tho record of tho National Government ono of great lack of courage, no initiative, and generally doing the wrong thing ? Certainly on tneir record no valid claims can be based'for a continuance of the present Parliament. Given an election at the present time, the opinion is, expressed by many that seeing the Dominion's, and the Empire's, need, men will come forward who really aro the leaders of tlie thought, commerce, and industries of tho country; men who would be inspired by no bread-and-but-ter motive,, who, seeking neither place nor honour, would for love of their country sacrifice their private interests at the call of their fellow-citizens. Extend the term of t'he present Parliament—never.—l am, etc., SETTLER.