Hardface Rampant

Maoriland Worker, Volume 12, Issue 293, 11 October 1922, Page 4

Hardface Rampant

The hardfaeed men who did very well out of the war are determined to do at least as well out of the peace. Last week they had an exceedingly good innings. Mr. Massey, their faithful friend, surrendered to their private possession nearly £1,000,000 per annum from the public revenue.- A year ago he gave them only a rebate on their income tax, but now he has conferred upon them a slashing reduction, so that in all, over this year and last, they will adhere to approximately £1,300,000 which, had Mr. Massey not been so kind, they would have contributed to the State to meet its perils an% necessity. As their assessable incomes are only £35,000,000 more than in 1914. we can easily realise their plight and appreciate the fervour with which they praise Mr. Massey for this signal proof of his goodwill and benignity .How Mr. Massey performed the miracle of bestowing this largesse upon his wealthy brethren in spite of the depression is of course simple —he ''saved" two millions, "including the second cut," snatched it, that is, from the wages of -mostly poorly paid, workers, and thus accumulated a golden hoard from which blessings may be showered on his money-laden pals. Beneficent statesman! Fortunate hardfaees, so rewarded for their intelligent class-conscious-ness! Remarkable too, the exquisite certainty with which all things work together for good (to the profiteers) under the capitalist system of exploitation and grab- For when Hardface had got his million or thereabouts the Arbitration Court sliced roughly £750,000 from the workers' wages. Marvel of coincidence! Moreover at Levin, Mr. Massey said there would be more of it, he was going on to ''REDUCE THE BURDENS ON THE PROSPEROUS CLASSES." The worker pays, and while he does it so humbly and tamely the hardfaeed men and their politicians will raid him ruthlessly for booty.