"POLITICAL NONSENSE”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24424, 9 October 1940, Page 11

"POLITICAL NONSENSE”

ic THE EDITOR

Sir, —Your correspondent “ Shareholder.” who wrote in the Times of October 2. has been effectively answered by the political events of the last few days. A mild conscription of wealth has been proposed, and the loud-mouthed advocates of conscription of men are now the frantic anti-conscriptiomsts. Although it is well known that all the money taken for war purposes by this or any other Government will practically all be lost, the Government] guarantees no casualties to the money taken under the compulsory loan system. The same terms are not offered to men balloted for war. But “Shareholder” that _ the generous rewarding cf soldiers is “something for nothing, and he says his view is endorsed by every true patriotic citizen in the Dominion. Ido not believe this cheap form of patriotism is as general as he assumes. Unfortunately the present war is a most expensive one, and the ruin to certain homes and households will have to be justly—as far as possible—apportioned out to all. A most gigantic collective undertaking calls for the most embracing and effective form of collectivism. ’ ' , If we do not weaken on an “all In” war policy, it is urgent that all private wealth must be merged into State property. It would be an. Ananias trick to hold back the ■'■wealth now, since the lives have been thrown in. I agree with “ Returned Soldier ” that there must be something better for the broken veteran than doles from street collections and Poppy Day funds. -I am, etc.. Patriot-