WORSE THAN SHIRKERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 309, 29 December 1915, Page 2

WORSE THAN SHIRKERS.

• STRAIGHT TALK BY MR. J. B. THOMAS. Speaking in regard to a. request from - the Raglan County Council urging that all single men eligible for military ser--vice be dispensed with at one month's notice, the chairman of the Piako County Council, Councillor J. B. Thomas, contended that the present system of taxation was unfair. He favoured an export tax. Speaking in regard to the system of obtaining recruits Counciilor Thomas remarked that the better class of men were leaving the country, and the country would be peopled with wasters before long. The Government should have power to obtain reinforcements by lot for, say, if 10,000 men were available, the number of people to be selected should he made by ballot. He considered that the Government should have the exports taxed to see that the men are properly equipped. It was essential that the men should not be allowed to go into service without the fullest provision by way of equipment. Cr Thomas considered that unless they were prepared to accept taxation, in order to - look after the men ! 3 interests, they nroEt consider themselves worse than the greatest shirkers in the country. Before they could enforce conscription they must hare access to the wealth of the country. A resdntion was carried favouring an ..export tax in order to ensure the complete equipment of soldiers. Cr Eastwood: It should he introduced as a notice of motion. It was a big question, and brought in very suddenly. The chairman said there were 30,000 or 40,000 men who had not enlisted. It was a very foolish thing to continue the .voluntary system longer. The Government is failing in not asking that something should be done. The Raglan County Council's communication was "received.''