CONSCRIPTION OF WEALTH

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 144, 11 February 1916, Page 2

CONSCRIPTION OF WEALTH

The phrase "conscription of wealth" is becoming very familiar, so familiar as to indicate the existence ot an unsolved problem. The words have a good round Bound and appear to crystallise h many minds just the policy which the Government is bound in justice to enforce as a Bet-off against the taking of men, voluntarily or by compulsion, for rervicj in the war. On some people to hear "conscription of wealth" mentioned even in a whisper has a very disturbing effect—much the same effect as a red rag has on a Lull. The:e good people rather adtiotly demand a precise definition ot the term. "What do these reckless Socialists mean'/" it is asked-tbe "Socialists," by the way, including' a number of citizens hitherto treated with profound respect. "What do they mean by "conscription of wealth'?" asks the mouthpiece of the right-thinking party, and in tbe absent:2 cf a prompt and complete reply the correct ethics of war taxation are disclosed for public admiration. It is freely admitted that tbe Government ought to secu'e in these prosperous times a large part of its war money by taxation. Tbe orthodox organ of the right-thinking party is prepared to support "conscription of wealth" if advocates of the new doctrine will agree that the resultant levy shall be made upon wages by lowering the income tax exemption, and that what tbe income tax gatherer leaves of wages shall be tapped by tha Coll Cor of Cu:torus. The only form of "conscription of wealth'' our alarmed friends are prepared to consider comprises taxes on wages, tea, sugar and beer—as a ommencement. That is the policy they urge upon the Government to meet the growing clamour for some aporoacb to equality of sacrifice in the struggle against the Germans Frankly, we are not able to supply a very clear definition of what is meant by "conscription of weath," but we do know what it does not signify. and that is the scheme advanced by those wh sc behaviour sometimes suggests that of the animal we mentioned. We believe th it the persistent current use of the bothersome phrase is really symptomatic of a general impression of fairness with which the average British community may te credited. They want the necessary sacrifice shared. They wish to Bee it apflied to money as well as to men. They feel—and we arc in complete agreement with them—that it is manifestly improper that while the strongest and bravest of the community are away fighting, those who stay at home should live as New /ealanders are living t:day, in the full enjoyment ot luxuries and pleasures, with more money than they had before and more than they know what to do with between race meetings. If a reasonable share of war profits alone were diverted, on an equitable basi«, into the. Treasury, a substantial step would be made towaids removing those glaring inequalities which prompt ni:n who are perfectly sane and serious to talk, perhaps vagutly, about 'Von scription of wealth."—"Canterbury Times."