TAXPAYERS’ BURDENS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4438, 10 July 1922, Page 3

TAXPAYERS’ BURDENS.

9 GOVERNMENT NOT TO BLAME; HON. G. J. ANDERSON’S VIEW. Remarks regarding financial matters, chiefly about taxation, were made by the Hon, G. J. Andersbn a«, the luncheon after the Turua wharf opening on Saturday. The Ministen said the country’s conditions to-day was not as it was years ago. When the public criticised the Government, he said, there was not one of. them that had forced the Government of the day into those matters. Years ago they had governed the country with £5,000,000 ; now it was £13,000,000, or £8,000,000 more. It was not the Government but the electors who had forced tire Government of the day into those obligations. The Government had to meet the obligations of inteijest on sinking fund and pensions, and the people must be taxed. Since he had been in this district, he had been asked for £7OOO to help some local industry, Soembody had to pay that, and the taxpayer was the one. Np one wished to reduce another man’s pay, but it had to be done. He was sympathetic with Labour, but he did no*-, believe in men asking more than they were worth., and the Government would not stand for it. No political magician could arise to make something out of nothing. Any politician worth bis salt tried to bring the taxation down. The electors and taxpayers would be the judge next December. He was sure that the men who had stood the burden of the day would deserve the people’s confidence. No class of people could hope to govern a country ; all classes must help.