THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1907. A SERIOUS TAX.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9022, 8 January 1908, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1907. A SERIOUS TAX.

'A protest fe being raised in Auckland against fthe practice of athletic clubs and kindred societies levying tribute upon persons holding l prominent local l positions fo> - the support of these institutions. A correspondent writing on the subject in the Auckland "Herald," describes the modus operandi thus: — "The members of each club (and there are dredsof tliem), at the annual meetirg, proceed to elect a number of patrons, vice-patrons, presidents and vicepresidents. Members of Parliament, mayors and councillors are always chosen for these positions, the understanding beinp- that in each case a guinea will be forthcoming.". The correspondent adds:—"The practice ■ has become a scandal, and I wonder that our so-called 'sportsmen' do not see what a mean thing they are doing, and that many of their victims really cannot afford to part with sill the guineas which are demanded from them." Thu practice is undoubtedly objectionable in many ways, and is often a serious tax upon members of Parliament and persons holoing official positions, especially as these persona have multitudinous other calls upon them. This method of "raising the wind" is by no means confined to Auckland or to New Zealand; it is common to the whole of Australasia. The custom is first cousin to that in relation to giving send-offs, andfpresentations, which is carried to an absurd extent in this I -dominion, and is often silently I anathematised by those who are

called upon to contribute to the funds. It may, of course, be argued that no one is comeplled to give in either case. In a physical or legal sense that is true; but the contribution is forced by a power which is neither physical, legal nor illegal. The man may resent the impost, but he often feels compelled to give, because he does not wish to be considered ungracious or stigmatised as "mean"; or because refusal may in some way tell against his prospects or personal popularity. Especially may this be the case with persons holding positions at the will of the people, and Government servants who feel that they might place themselves out of favour if they objecte io subscribe to a presentation to, say, the head of tho red-tape and sealing wax department, or any other department they may be concerned with. As to the severity of the tax upon public men the writer we have already quoted, remarks:—"Not long ago a man who had been for 15 years in a prominent public position died; his widow was left not sufficiently .provided for, but his cheque-books showed that for the five years prior to his death he had given away in subscriptions over £2OO. Not one of the clubs to which he had contributed was represented at the funeral, but his successor had hardly taken the place of the man who bad passed away, before the satre game was being played on him." The only remedy for the trouble seems to be for men to manfully assert themselves and refuse to givn towards any object of which they do not approve, and to absolutely refuse donations for purposes whiehi tfoey approve or disapprove, if they feel they are unable to afford to give. If a few of the scronger men set an example the . weaker would follow suit, and the calls upon the sections of the community referred to would soon be reduced to legitimate limits.