People’s Spending Power

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 263, 4 August 1939, Page 11

People’s Spending Power

Sir, —Arising above the din surrounding the Budget broadcast from the House of Representatives last night one heard a clamant voice proclaiming that the Labour Party had increased the spending power of the people. Alas! How true. But the evidence he adduced in support of this self-evident truth was that in the last 12 months New Zealanders put up a record for beer consumption, namely 19 million gallons. He also cited the increased betting returns. Good God! What a man, what a country! Time enough to boast when they can say they have increased the intelligent spending power of the country. At present the standard of living is apparently computed by the fluid measure. If the Government were making an honest attempt to stem the tide and consolidate the country’s finances one would not so readily complain at the ever-rising taxation, but as they are plainly intending to spend future revenue as they have past, resentment is natural. We are told we get the Government we deserve. I, however, am not responsible for putting them in power. The Government in the past has been ready enough to attack the actions of past Governments. Well then, when it is a question of taxation let them remove the absurd exemption to farmers whose capital value is Under £3OOO. It may militate a little against their vote-purchasing tactics, but would work nothing more than justice. They want more revenue, then let them nor discriminate, or rather continue an unjust discrimination, because it might cost something in popularity. Better to get it that way than out of increased beer revenue.—l am, etc., DIPSOMANIAC. Palmerston N„ August 2.