PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21205, 30 August 1940, Page 9

PUBLIC OPINION

As expressed by correspondents whose letters are welcome, but lor whose views we have no responsibility. Correspondent! 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.

GIFT TO THE MOTHER LAND.

(To the Editor) Sir, —There has been a lot of talk about giving money in this country. I wonder if these people who talk such a lot realise we are a small / nation of just over one million and a half. I think we have done well in money, men and women. To these people who make a fuss may I make a suggestion that our farmers give a box of butter each free to the Old Country. 1 am sure it would be a godsend.—l am, etc., J. MOODY. Waihi Beach, August 27.

TAXATION OF DOMESTICS

(To the Editor) Sir, —Having read with interest a letter written recently by Mr Harry Woodruffe, may I also reply to a paragraph in a letter written by Mr Thos. Fleetwood, in which he states that Mr Woodruffe seems to think the domestic worker is taxed 4s in the pound. Mr Fleetwood thinks (these are his words) that everybody except probably the most ignorant understands it is 2s in the pound. I am a domestic and 1 don’t think —I know—l pay 5s 6d tax out of my weekly wage of 355. That, I believe, works out at 2s in the pound National and Social Security tax, and 2s board allowance, and I am not clear who gets that. I pay it. I hope you understand, Mr Fleetwood, I am not making a fuss about paying my taxes, I’m just stating facts.—l am, etc., PROBABLY NOT THE MOST IGNORANT. Hamilton, August 28.

STANDARD OF LIVING

(To the Editor) Sir, —I would like those who advocate a reduction in the standard of living to explain in detail how they would bring it about, also how it would help in our war effort. For example, take myself, and I am only one in thousands. My wife, child, and I are living in a flat and have our own furniture. My rent is 3Ss a week and wages £4 ss, less tax. One can see that the worker’s greatest cost is his high rent. Do not those people who advocate a lower standard of living realise that they would bring about a state of affairs similar to that which existed a few years ago? We would hear the same parrot cry of overproduction when our trouble would be under-consumption. It is the workers who shoulder the burden of all crises, including the present one, and they are the first to make a real sacrifice. They should have the highest possible standard of living, because after all they make the wealth of a nation.—l am, etc., WORKER. Hamilton, August 29.

INCREASE IN AWARD WAGES

(To the Editor) Sir, —To the farmers who are in the throes of another long moan, and to others who begrudge the rise In award workers’ wages, let me try to enlighten them on a few facts. As a plumber who received approximately £5 10s a week, I lose £7 17s 6d in seven statutary holiday* and £ll 5s for the usual Christma* fortnight vacation, averaging 8s a week, making my wage £5 2s. Furthermore, work is lost periodically through wet weather. The type of work engaged upon is ruinous to clothes and footwear. I have to maintain an expensive kit of tools, and a tradesman’s job is not permanent, as instanced early this year when I wa* out of work three weeks during the slackening of the building trade. Let me tell the farmers that those long hours we are told they work are only imaginary. Certainly, the hired man earns his money, but though I 'have worked at the trade for farmers and have holidayed with them, J have yet to see evidence of them working between rising time and dark without considerable spells, unless harvesting or such is in operation. During those hours are included all their chores and odd jobs around the house such as I have to do before and after work and during the week-ends. Let the cow cockies glance at the will probates published periodically and they will notice that 50 per cent is a conservative average of the male testators having been farmers or retired farmers. Let me conclude by matching the complaint that farmers’ sons are leaving home for the town with the fact that several tradesmen in Hamilton alone have taken up farming during the past two years. —I am. etc., B. FAIR. Hamilton. August 28.