CORRESPONDENCE.

Press, Volume XIIX, Issue 14553, 2 January 1913, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE.

MR H. G. ELL AND TAXATION TO TIIS EDITOR OF "THE PRE3S."

Sir,— -Although I may not always agree with, Mr McGregor's views, his articles aro always tnoughttul and scholarly, and well worth reading. I have not hitherto had any cause of complaint, but in his sixth articlo on "The Political Situation he has quoted an interjection 1 made when Mr Massey was speaking in the House three years ago against increased taxation, which, ho said, was unnecessary and burdensome. I interjected tho : "On what shoulders—the broad '(" I havo no ground of complaint against Mr McGregor in quoting what 1 said, but I have a right to, and do, object to his comments thereon, in which ho says: "In Mr Ell's opinion, lavish expenditure and heavy taxation are beneficial so long as tho money comes out of the pockets of the wealthy.'*' MiMcGregor in his comments has made mo responsible for opinions I do not hold. Lavish expenditure in my opinion is not beneficial. As to taxation, it should be levied according to ability to pay. I do not agree with Robert Lowe — quoted by Mr McGregor—that he who distributes it—taxation—most equally is the best Chancellor, I prefer Bentham as a guide. He wrote that taxation should be levied not only with n view to raising money to carry on the services of State, but.with. si view to remedying tho inequalities in the distribution of wealth.

Mr 'McGregor writes: -'Mr Massey was inveighing against the excessive burden of unnecessary taxation that was being heaped upon the shoulders of the people," when I struck in with tho interjection he commented upon. Now, Mr Massey has not announced his intention to" reduce any of the taxation which he declared to be ''excessive" and "burdensome." Indeed, he claimed last session that the new progressive land tax would bring into tho Treasury still more revenue. The present Government were pledged by the present Ministers, and by the rank and file of tlieii party, to give effect to a declaration made by both the Ward and Mackenzio Administrations to reduce the pension age for women to sixty, and I had a Bill prepared ready to carry out the promise made, but Mr Massey did not proceed with the Bill last session, and the reason was generally understood to be that the present revenue would not stand the increased demrjid which would be made on the Treasury. Both Mr Massey and Mr Allen have practically had to confess that the taxation which\ they heatedly declared to be both "unnecessary" and "burdensome.'* is all required,* and I venture the opinion still more will be required it they redeem their platform pledges arid give the increased services and make available more State-provided benefits. —Yours, etc., „ H. G. ELL.