PATRIOTIC FUND TAX

Grey River Argus, 6 February 1941, Page 10

PATRIOTIC FUND TAX

ROSS PROPOSAL Rejected by Provincial Council Following a lengthy discussion, the Westland Provincial Patriotic Council at its monthly meeting, at the Greymouth Municipal Chambers, last ( evening, refused by ten votes to six to sponsor a proposal bi' the Ross Patriotic Committee that the present system of voluntary effort for raising patriotic funds shoula be abolished, in favour of a fixed tax on all wages and income. The Ross Committee’s proposals were published in the “Argus” on January 31 In moving that the letter be receiyed and no action taken, Un Chairman, Mr G. A. Perry, said that the people were giving voluntari.y to the funds. for the soldiers’ welfare, and if a compulsory tax wenimposed, it would check this. In his opinion it would be a great mistake to check this feeling. Mr J. B. Kent seconded the motion, saying that there was a line feeling behind the voluntary giving to the-soldiers. Mr K. O. May (Mayor of Ross) said that he appreciated the points mentioned by the mover and seconder, but ail those people who collected for patriotic purposes felt that too many people were not playing their pari". The Ross Committee had made the proposal in order to make those people give. In hi- opinion, th e after-care of soldiers was a matter for everyone in the country who could give and pay for it. Moving an amendment that the Council heartily approve .of the proposals, Mr May said that no one should escape Paying. Mr A, B. Spiers, seconding the amendment, said the committee at Kumara were in full agreement with the proposal. Collectors going round from house to house were being refused by the same people. One man speaking to him, said that he would rather pay 5s a week than have boxes and flags stuck under his nose all the time. In his district the same people were running dances, and collecting the money, and also giving the money. It was hard for rhe committe P to be refused all the time. Only householders were giving, but not the men working at mills, who wer e • not approached, the only way to take money from them being by compulsory taxation. He suggested that funds from the Dominion Art Unions should go to patriotic funds, where they would do most good. The proposal would be a step in the right direction in helping th e men when they returned from the war. Mr P. J. McLean commended the Ross Committee for sending its letter. but he thought that the proposal was premature. The people were still giving voluntarily. When that system let the Council down, it would b e time to consider this pro posal. It was difficult to get large numbers of people.to take the interest in the purposes of th e Patriotic Council that they should. Later on something might be done in that direction. Mr J. Smeaton said he strongly supported the proposal. It was a step in the right direction, he said, as there were many people evading their responsibilities. All over the country there were people who would not give sixpence for patriotic purposes. Many parents who would not give would b e the first to ask what the Council had been doing when their sons came back from fighting and found nothing for them.

Mr F. A. Kitchingham said that, at a recent meeting, the Greymouth R.S.A. had passed a resolution supporting the proposal. In regard to art unions, part of the proceeds was devoted to the Mayor’s Relief Fund in many towns, and was used for th? relief of distres s in the civilian population. In regard to the rehabilitation of soldiers, mentioned in the letter, it should be remembered that the Council had nothing to do with rehabilitation. The Council was collecting funds for nothing more Ilian the relief of distress amongst soldiers and their dependants in the district. Fie supported the suggestion that nothing be done to stifle th e action of a large portion of the community in giving voluntarily. There were, no doubt, a large number of people who evaded their obligations, but the voluntary system should not be suppressed. Mr J. Unwin supported th e amendment. A large section of the community, he stated, would not help or giv e in an y way. It was the duty of all to help their fellow men and women.

Mr W. Clayton thought that Mr May’s proposals were put forward at th e wrong time for any move to be made. The Council was getting on fairly well, even though a certain number of people would not donate. It- would be better to cany on in the present way until th L > Council got into a state where it had to obtain money by a resort to compulsion.

Mr L. E. Kennedy (Runanga) supported the amendment, stating that it was a case of the smaller the earner, the bigger the giver, while th e man with the money did no; give. Mr J. W. Greenclade said that he supported the motion, pointing out that it would be a great mistake to pass from the custom of voluntary giving. There was something admirable underlying the voluntary giving to th e soldiers. At th e present time the Government would not listen to any such recommendation. Most people preferred to give a small amount week by week than to have money taken from their wages. A tux would hit the poorer people harder than those in a more fortunate position. He t nought it would be a great mistake to change the system. The Council, he said, should proceed in the wav 't was going and build up a local’ fund to be available at all time to deserving people. The matter of any change could b P safely left till later on. Mr J. O’Brien. M.P.. said that thousands of poqnd s had been raised by voluntary effort. The voluntary method should be given al trial at least up to a stage where it could be regarded as failing. When it actually failed, the time would have come to approach the Government in re-| gard to the taxation. Regarding the art unions, many peopl n were beingassisted bv the Mayor’s Funds, ‘and it was necessary to have those funds available. It would be wrong to

have the whole of the art union profits going to patriotic funds. If it had been started at the outset, a compulsory system of raising patriotic funds would have been all right* but half way through, or when it was well on the way towards the finish, wa s the wrong time. The war taxation was fairly heavy at the present time, and it would thu s be wrong for the Government to impose yet a further burden on the poorer people. It would be easy for the Government to bring in such measures if they became necessary. The matter of rehabilitation, he pointed cut, should be left to the Government, which had promised itself to look after the returned men. He suggested that the matter be held over until further meetings wer e held and the position reviewed. Mr J. Mulcare said that to nim the present scheme appeared satisfactory, and he was not .in favour of the amendment. In every movement and in every body, a certain few did all of the work.

The chairman said that in regard to the question of rehabilitation which had been raised, th,at nyitter wa s not the business of the Council, but ine business of th (! Government. The voluntary giving, he pointed out, made a bond between the people and the soldiers who were away. People who could give but did not had their conscience to condemn them. T.f; would kill the present natural feelings animating the givers if it were made compulsory to give to the soldiers. He would himself sooner give a reasonable sum each week than have it taken from him. On a show of hands, the amendment was .lost by ten votes to six and the motion was carried. A letter was received from the Greymouth R.S.A. requesting the Council to consider th e proposal mat. a tax on wages and income be collected by the Government and dis' nensed by the Council. Mr May said that it was very satisfatcory to see the R.S.A. with the losers of the amendment.