WORKERS AND CONSCRIPTION

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 17, 21 January 1916, Page 3

WORKERS AND CONSCRIPTION

Writing in the monthly journal of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, Mr. Ivor Hazell, general secretary of the society, refers to the cry for conscription of wealth. " Then we have the 'no conscription' cry," he writes. "And quite in order if advocated from sincere and pure motives; but is it? We think not.' If ever conscription became necessary the Government would be lacking in its duty if it did not. enforce it. Then, we have the demand for the conscription of wealth, etc. All theso petty worries are clogs in the wheels of a' weak. Government, and stop volunteers coming forward in the same proportion as in the early stages of the war. We had something to say about conscription in last month's report, and are satisfied with the attitude taken up by the authorities, and with the Central Board set up for recruiting purposes. The conscription of wealth is too vague to seriously consider, but the reason given for the accumulation of funds is sound—viz., for adequately paying the soldiers and pensioning their dependents. If the money question is the bone of contention, then we all should participate in that burden. England is supposed to be the richest nation in the world, and has sufficient funds to carry on the war indefinitely. But methinks the resolutions passed concerning the conscription of wealth were advocated to hinder the conscription of men; but if money is really needed, then a graduated tax should bt imposed on everyone having an income of £150 and upwards per year; such money raised to be set aside for the payment of the soldiers and -the pensioning of their dependents. Married persons to pay half the tax imposed on single persons."