REWARDS AND TAXES.

Evening Star, Issue 25425, 5 March 1945, Page 4

REWARDS AND TAXES.

The raihvaymen appear to be substantially satisfied with the revision of their working conditions, following improved wage scales, that lias been made by the Railways Industrial Tribunal. If the meeting of the Public Service claims 'is as well approved there should bo an end of a state described in the case of the latter as " seething with discontent," and shown to have been so with the railwaymen. What becomes ot stabilisation is another question The plans made to that end were theoretically well inspired, but to " freeze " alike wage rates that were up to date in 1942 and others that had been unchanged from the early 'twenties was not to do equal justice. The chairman of the Public Service Association explained that, in asserting its claims, it was not seeking to circumvent or to sabotage stabilisation, but merely to rationalise it. The contention had point, but as concessions made in one

quarter have led inevitably to concessions in others, it is to bo feared that only the shadow of stabilisation remains. The latest peoplo to be'promised increases are those who have never asked for them, members of the armed forces and their dependants. No one has ever thought that the soldier was well paid. Ho does his job, the most exacting and dangerous of all, without ever " letting down " on it or complaining. No olio can find fault with an additional shilling a day given to him, or better allowances to his dependants.' If others were to have their rewards improved it was essential that his should bo also.

It is a big bill, nevertheless, which the Government will have to meet when all these increases are to be paid as from tho end of last June. It is a big bill, even when allowance is made for the- fact that, except in the case of sol-' diers._ the Government will take back one-eighth of it in national security and social security tax. From the financial figures for nine months that were published recently there is no doubt that the money will be available. Oit the War Expenses Account, Army, Navy, and civil expenditure all showed decreases as compared with the corresponding figures of last year, making a net reduction of twenty-five millions when the increase for air services was allowed for Figures for tho Consolidated Fund showed that the reveiuio was .buoyant, though expenditure had appreciably increased, chiefly for debt services. The Government was not modest in its demands when it fixed the last war loan at forty millions. Now its main object should be to reduce taxation, whoso high rate discourages enterprise, not only on the part of " big business," but on that of workers of all sorts, apt to find no attraction in earning more—at the cost of doing more—or even in promotion, when "it will only mean paying it to the Government." That thought can be a demoralising influence running through .the whole community. An incentive instead of it is much needed.