ABOUT "SHIRKERS"

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 110, 5 November 1915, Page 3

ABOUT "SHIRKERS"

10 THE EBIT9R. Sir, —For some time past numerous correspondents have been venting through your columns anonymous denunciation upon men whom they term shirkers, meaning thereby eligible men who have not yet enlisted, and, judging by your editorial comments, these censors have in The Post a congenial vent. I note that with one exception, all these furious fulminations have been anonymous, and nobdy has suggested by what means a shirker is to be definfied. But why should the young men of this country be made the butt of hostile and venomous attack while our wealthy tax shirkers are allowed to escape criticism? No fact is more scandalous in connection with the present war than the uncensured facility with which vested interests have combined to shirk the war taxation, unless it be the silence of 'the press and the readiness of the politicians to obey the behests of their squatter and protectionist masters. People are complaining of the scarcity of* houses, but though the unimproved value of borough land now amounts to £68,000,000, it is | completely exempted from war taxation! A few months ago Mr. Massey shook his fist- ominously at the bakers, and threatened them with State bakeries if they did|nt beha.ve themselves. Yet at the bidding of the, farmers who are waxing fat on war prices, he rehabilitates the bread tax directly Parliament had risen. The Premier makes a brave show against the poor bakers, but he is as pliable as putty in the hands of men who are fleecing the masses of the people by robber prices. It has coma to this that the man in the street is to be pestered by street collectors, compelled to pay extortionate prices for everything, and obliged to pay thp greai bulk of the new taxation as well. Yet that is not enough, and now forsooth he is to be compelled to go aboard to fight! A man has nothing more to give than his life, but before life is. compulsorily imperilled, surely something will be done to make squatters, syndicate promoters, and protected manufacturers disgorgt some of their plunder by means of proper taxation? Moreover, the diminution of our population by reason of the number who sregointr to the front means a certain falling off in Customs revenue, and hence the people who remain at home will be called upon next session to yield more of their hard-won earnings to the tax-gatherer. Are 'the people going to stand it? Are they going to be bossed for all time by newspapers and politicians? or are they going to assert the power they possess in the defence of their common rights?—l am, etc.,

P. J. O'REGAN.

Wellington, 3rd November.