Restart scheme

Press, 20 December 1988, Page 12

Restart scheme

Sir,—Like many people, J. Marshall (December 8) misunderstands the economy. He takes taxation as a personal affront, as though, somehow, his wages are inscribed with his own unique brand. The country as a whole generates a certain finite wealth. If we want public services, a healthy society and environment, and a morally acceptable level of equity, then social goals must take precedence over private greed. The Government, at national or local levels, has a duty to reallocate the social wealth it has generated in order to achieve those goals. Whether the means of doing this is P.A.Y.E., rates or GST is irrelevant. All it really says is that, in terms of the over-all wealth and needs of the country, the dollar notes in our pay packets are actually worth less than we thought. To believe that $5 a ratepayer is too much to pay for the benefits of a well-employed citizenry is selfishness and shortsightedness in the extreme. The real costs and misery of not sharing in schemes like Restart will be many times that illusory $5 saved. I cannot make my $5 employ someone, but the council can.—Yours, etc., COLIN MEURK. December 8, 1988.