The Bag of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, MAY 4, 1942 WAR TAXATION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 48, 4 May 1942, Page 4

The Bag of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, MAY 4, 1942 WAR TAXATION

"GETTING DOWN to it with a vengeance as one man m Wlmkatane described it, is possibly the best concensus of general opinion in reaction to the: Prime Minister's Budget Taxation for the forthcoming year. The War Expenses Account is this year demanding an estimated expenditure of £133,000,000. Last year the estimate was nearly 70 but only 53 millions was spent. However, the increase m colossal, and though last year's estimate was not reached, no man can say that this year's will not be exceeded. It defends on the course of the war. Towards the total of 133 millions it is proposed that the people should pay £34,400.000 in taxes, and to this will be added £7,000,000 derivec from last year's surplus, civil revenues and "miscellaneous.' It is proposed to raise. £35,600,000 by loans and savings, malting- a grand total of 77 millions from New Zealand s internal resources. The remainder ,56 millions, is to be borrowed . 46 millions from the United Kingdom Government, and 10 millions from the United States under lease-lend. The civil account, at 38 millions, is about the same as last year s; the social security account will increase from 14£ millions to about 17* millions, though the increase is to be met out of reserves, which will not be available next year. These fio-ures reflect the fixed charges which the present Government, so greatly increased. Faced with the necessity, well explained by the Prime Minister, of raising a large additional sum by taxation,, the Government has had to recognise the impossibility of looking to a minority of the people to supply it. True, it looked to the minority first, and the higher incomes are to be further reduced by the maxi mum amount practicable", but so much has already been drawn from this well that this dip will produce only £3,000,000 more. The balance of £14,400,000 required inevitably must be paid in large part out of the lower incomes. One result is that the recent 5 per cent increase m award wages is nearly all to be taken back in direct taxes. Seme attempt has been made to ease the .burden on those with low incomes and family responsibilities,, but the success of this is entirely dependent on stability of prices. Bonuses to solders' wives, or increases in family allowances, can be quickly nullified by increased living costs. Nothing is more necessary now than that the recommendations of the Economic Stabilisation Conference should be carried out in full. Increases in wage rates in present circumstances can be obtained only at the cost and to the detriment of the majori y of the people who have no Arbitration Court to. which they may apply. AWAKE NEW ZEALAND WHAKATANE'S turn in the 'Awake New Zealand Campaign' so courageously sponsored by Major Melrose, in Hamilton two months ago, takes place on Thursday evening when a mass public meeting will be called, to urge the people help themselves with special emphasis on the Home Guard. Already this organisation has been responsible ior the manufacture of trench mortars on a growing scale and is now responsible for the production of Mills bombs and other serviceable weapons of defence. The Awake New Zealand Movement though dedicated primarily to the defence of this country stands for the lifting of the morale and the awakening of the people to the consciousness tha this country of ours can and shall be defended to the utmost by every man, woman and child doing their part. I aims at stimulating the offensive spirit which shall be the maximum safeguard in the event of emergency. Funds will be needed to maintain the people's factories, run by e organisation and in most cases, by voluntary labour. Material is needed and thus, though much has been donated a - ready must be purchased. The lull in the Pacific zone is no reason for a slackening of our vigilence and we have been assured that the movement is ready and willing to co-oper-ate to the utmost with any local organisation the aims of which are identical. The main object, arming and equipping the Home Guard, its founders maintain, must be fulfilled and fulfilled quickly. On Thursday evening speakers who have toured the Waikato With signal success will address the Whakatane public. Everyone who loves his or her home and family, should attend this meeting. WAIIWANA'S PATRIOTIC FUND THE unfortunate fact that certain residents of Wairnana in perfect good faith, were prevailed upon by canvassers from Opotiki Patriotic Inter-Zone to subscribe to the funds for that area, was ventillated at last Friday s meeting. N , (•oubt the whole position can be amicably sattled V mutual explanations and it is to be regretted that something of a strong stand in the matter has already been in the Opotiki press. These things should not inspire feeling of any sort, in view of the voluntary spirit which enamates the whole of the difficult work of collecting. We have not the slightest doubt but that the matter can be washed up with friendly understanding and explanation.