CORRESPONDENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 April 1917, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE.

MR. HIKE v. MR. BAKEWELL. To the Editor. Sir,— I The vituperation with which, at tile close of his letter, Mr. Bakcwell personally assails me, is, perhaps, suflicient proof that lie realises the weakness of his contention, and as I cannot hope to rival him in his copious use of capitals or in his very unkind comparisons, I will at once proceed to reply to his questions in the order in which iu> puts them. Question No. ]: The obligations of taxpayers are to make to the test of their ability a true and accurate return of income and expenditure. The majority of farmers shirked this duty and failed to furnish any return at all. No. 2: The protest of the IngicwooJ meeting was not a protest against the unequal incidence of a tax, but again si the tax Itself., therefore there was ivi confusion on my part. No. 3: None whatever, nor did I suggest it. No. 4: Gazetting Brown's assessment, high or low, will not console Smith for' tlie injustice of his, but publicity would, in rny opinion, have the effect oi compelling both Broiwn and Smith to make a true and accurate return. No. !): If by "my business friends" Mr. Bakcwell means tlie directors of the company by whom I am employed, I cannot s<iy whether they look kindly on my proposal or not. I have not asked them, but my position as a dairy company secretary is probably unique, inasmuch that the whole of my directors have "consistently furnished the Commissioner with details required of them under the Land and Income and Finance Acts. No. G: Tlis secretary of a dairy company is not responsible for the annual report, that being a matter which rests entirely with the directory, consequently I have not had to meet any criticism in that direction. Mr. ißakewell lias occupied the position of a dairv company director and should be aware of this. And now, Sir, having answered all Mr. Bakewell's quec-tions, ''without assumptions, insinuations, casuistry or sermonising," I wish to point out that Mr. Bakewell endeavors to persuade liis readers that he is in favor of providing the enormous sums of money required for war purposes by some "fair" means of taxation, but unfortunately for Mr. Bakewell's veracity, the weight of evidence is against him, because when questioned by Mr. Okey how lie proposed getting the money,, Mr. Bakewell replied, "Cut down tlie waste." Here was political economy indeed, with special emphasis on "economy," and to those one hundred and twenty farmers the financial genius from Waitui doubtless appeared as the prophet •♦.'ho was to lead them out of the wilderness. Their difficulties were solved and their war profits were to be secured. There was no need at all for this taxation; their duty was clear, and they fulfilled it in a characteristic way by -solemnly passing a resolution "that this meeting protests against a farmers' income tax." Am I not justified in contending that a much higher standard of patriotism is expected from the boys as compared with that required from the rest of the community? I am, etc., ! JAS. HIXE, JUX'R.