Sacrifices for the War.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15560, 8 April 1916, Page 8

Sacrifices for the War.

No fair-minded New Zealander caji have read the details of the taxation to be imposed in England, without being impressed by the great pecuniary sacrifices beinff; made by all clcssos in the United Kingdom, and reflecting at the same time how lightly we in New Zealand have dipped our hands into our pockets for the eanie purpose. In New Zealand, no on© with an income of less than £300 a year is liable for income tax. The rates on incomes answerable to duty range from 8d in the £ to 2s 8d on the highest incomes. In England, incomes of more than £2 10s a week have to pay the tax, and the ordinary rate ranges from 2s 3d in tho £ on incomes up to £500 to os in tho £ on larger incomes. But the Jattcr, when in excess of *£3000 a year, have to pav a super-tax in addition, which goes up to 3« 6d in the £.

The working classes in England for the most part arc earning higher wages in consequence of tho war demand for their cervices, and arc evidently prepared to pay cheerfully their fair share towards the cost of the war. The profe6sional classes and those living on fixed incomes from investments must be terribly "hard hit" by a reduction in income on the one hand and the increase in the co6t of living on the other. Yet they, too, are making huge sacrifices without a murmur.

Arc we in New Zealand to content ourselves simply with looking on and admiring—at a distance —these sacrifices on the part of the Mother Country? AVe have freely given our sons to the service of the Empire, and it is now our duty to make such pccuniary sacrifices as may l»p necessary. If we make up our minds to hear a considerable proportion of our expenses of the war out of current taxation, we shall be serving the truest interests not only of the Empiro but of New Zealand herself. Wc shall lessen tlio amount needed to bo borrowed, and so lighten the load of interest -which will fall on the Dominion when it may bo not in so good a position to bear it as at present. It < should also have the effect of checking a good deal of the extravagance on luxuries which is still rife, and. by enforcing thrift, enable us to husband our resources for the struggle which is before us. For very shame ire ought not to be content simply to go on living on borrowed money, and enjoying a good timo while our fellow-citizens of the Empire living in the Mother Country are making such huge and painful sacrifices.