PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21195, 19 August 1940, Page 9

PUBLIC OPINION

As expressed by correspondents whose letters are welcome, but for whose views we have no responsibility. Correspondents are requested to write in ink. It is essential that anonymous writers enclose their proper names as a guarantee of good faith. Unless this rule is complied with, their letters will not appear.

‘FORGOTTEN PEOPLE’

(To the Editor) Sir, —A correspondent in a southern newspaper expresses precisely what I have desired to express ever since financial policy in New Zealand has turned against a certain class of “forgotten people.” The writer says:— “I would like to make a plea on behalf of those elderly people who, through their own thrift and hard work, and by denying themselves many things, have provided for their own old age, and who now find themselves in very straightened circumstances owing to the high cost of living. We read in the papers of different sections of the workers getting a 5 per cent rise in wages on account of the high cost of living. Now there is another 5 per cent rise, and yet some of the workers are complaining that it is not enough. “I would like to point out to these dissatisfied people that we of the class that I have mentioned get no relief, but are penalised in every way. The interest we get from our small investments is called unearned, so we are taxed at the rate of 33 1-3 per cent additional tax. We are also compelled to pay the Is in the pound Social Security, and Is in the pound National Security tax, for which we get no exemption, having to pay tax on these two items, as they are included in our income. I think it is high time that the Government gave to people on small incomes some measure of relief.”—l am, etc., FORGOTTEN. Hamilton, August 17.

NO SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET

(To the Editor) Sir, —It was rather interesting and not a little amusing to note that the people of New Zealand scarcely turned a hair when the Hon. H. T. Armstrong suggested the possibility of a supplementary Budget, with, of course, the inference of increased taxation. The Hon. W. Nash, who ought to be in a position to know, replied that he saw no occasion for a second Budget, and that is that. One wonders what Mr Armstrong had in mind in particular, if anything. It was strange that a responsible Minister of the Crown should have made such a suggestion unless he had heard something in Cabinet circles. He might have been merely expressing his own opinion formed from his own judgment of the country’s position, but it is unfortunate that such statements should be made if there is no good reason for them. Such statements by Ministers are apt to be taken seriously. It is not that New Zealanders are afraid of taxation for war purposes. They have, in fact, shown a remarkably stolid readiness to accept personal sacrifice while shouldering taxation which ranks very highly amongst the taxation figures of the world. They know the war must be paid for, and they will pay, but they are not over-pleased when a Minister gives them cold shivers without any cause. I suppose we can take it for granted that Mr Nash is correct when he says provision has already been made for the financing of the programme for the current year without the necessity of another Budget.—l am, etc.,

TAXPAYER. Hamilton, August 17.