PATRIOTIC TAX FAVOURED

Southland Times, Issue 24891, 3 November 1942, Page 4

PATRIOTIC TAX FAVOURED

Desire For Board To Continue

Fairly general approval of the proposal to institute a tax for patriotic purposes was expressed _ by representatives of various sections of the conununity who were approached yesterday _ for their opinions on this question, which is very much in the public mind just now. Almost unanimously the opinion was expressed that taxation would provide a more equitable system than the present voluntary contributions which came from generous individuals, while others well able to afford gifts escaped their obligations. Other advantages of a tax system were said to be the possible diversion to productive war work of the tremendous amount of effort involved in the present collections and a saving in expense. Against the advantages enumerated was advanced a fear that the expending of money raised by taxation for patriotic purposes might be subject to too much political control. It was considered important that the National Patriotic Fund Board and provincial councils should retain their identity and responsibilities as at present with full powers to expend money as required for the welfare of the fighting forces and sick, wounded and prisoners of war. RETURNED MAN’S OPINION Doubts whether the men in the armed forces would appreciate less the comforts purchased with taxed money were expressed by a returned soldier of the present war. He said he had seen it suggested that the soldiers would not like it if the people at home had to be taxed to raise patriotic funds, but he doubted whether there was anything in it. Personal gifts, which were appreciated most of all would no doubt continue and the impersonal gifts and services from the patriotic fund would not be less welcome if the money was raised by taxation. There was conscription of man-power and heavy monetary taxation for war purposes, and taxation for patriotic funds would not be a very revolutionary idea. There was so much more being done for soldiers than the giving of money to show that they were remembered back home, and it was those things which were most valued by the troops. “It is obviously becoming increasingly difficult to raise sufficient money for patriotic purposes by voluntary means,” said a city business man. “Southland was about £3OOO short of its quota for the last financial year and there is a feeling abroad that some of the northern provinces embracing large cities in their areas are in a much worse position. Clearly, something must be done to meet the position. The demands on the fund are rising rapidly and the number of persons available to supply the money are dwindling as more men are absorbed into the armed forces. Some of the generous contributors of the past are now in camp and are at the receiving end.” “PALLIATIVES” If the Government would agree to accept responsibility for parcels for prisoners of war it might lighten the load considerably and enable the voluntary system to continue, he said. Parcels for New Zealand war prisoners must be costing nearly £500,000 a year. Another scheme which had been suggested was a Government subsidy of £1 for £1 on voluntary contributions. Surely these were merely palliatives, he continued. They did not get over the unfairness of the existing system whereby many persons were able to escape their obligations while others in no better financial position were called on for more than their fair share. This inequity was leading to growing dissatisfaction. All the organization of the war effort was on a compulsory basis, and it was strange that the provision of comforts for soldiers should be on a voluntary basis. The single fund for all purposes was highly desirable, and it should be raised according to the means of everyone to contribute. HOUSEWIFE’S VIEW “If only I could get a rest from the constant visits of collectors who want money and others who want cakes baked or other things done for street stalls I would gladly approve of a taxation system which meant an even higher contribution from my household,” said a busy housewife. She remarked that life was hectic for the mother of a family and the patriotic appeals took up a great deal of time. Many of her women friends were engaged for many hours a week on patriotic work and their household tasks must suffer. The total women’s patriotic effort in Invercargill must be staggering; and if the time and energy could be diverted to something more directly associated with war production the results should be of tremendous value to the national effort. The knitting of comforts and making of bandages could be increased, but the collecting was a job which many women would gladly relinquish. At most homes the collectors were well received, but the humiliation of a snappy reception at a few houses made the collectors’ task unenviable. SAFEGUARDS NECESSARY

The importance of safeguards to prevent too much political control of patriotic funds if raised by taxation was emphasized by a city solicitor. He said he approved of taxation as the most equitable means of raising the money, but it was most desirable that the fund should be administered by a nonpolitical board. It was undoubtedly a fact that at present the burden rested only on the willing contributors and was not shared equally. Wholehearted approval of the taxation scheme was expressed by a middleaged man without family earning a better-than-average salary. He said the calls had recently become very heavy. It was generally thought that he was doing very well on his income, he said, but wages tax absorbed £1 a week, income tax another £1 a week and national savings a similar amount. He was regarded as a “good mark” for every neighbourhood charity and his total contributions to patriotic funds were substantial. He knew there were many whose net earnings were very little smaller who gave little or nothing to the funds, and while he did not begrudge anything he gave he felt that others should contribute their share.