Welfare Of Soldiers More Important Than Dominion’s Revenue

Northern Advocate, 14 March 1944, Page 2

Welfare Of Soldiers More Important Than Dominion’s Revenue

Deeming that welfare of returned servicemen should be placed before consideration of the Dominion's revenue, the executive of the Northland Next-of-Kin Association decided at its quarterly meeting in Whangarei last night to despatch a further letter to the acting-Miniser. for Customs (Hon. A. H. Nordmeyer) urging that, a reduction of 20 per cent, on all furniture purchases be granted to returned personnel of the New Zealand armed services. In reply to a previous request by the executive that, a remission of sales tax on furniture purchased by returned servicemen be granted, the Minister had slated that the scheme was impracticable. Pointing out its faults he had written that in New Zealand sales tax was not charged upon retail sales but, in general, was paid either when goods were sold by wholesalers to retailers, or when they were manufactured. In most cases, therefore, by the time goods were sold bv retailors, the sales tax had become embodied in the price, similarly to the freight, insurance and other expenses. Imposed to Produce Revenue

“In addition." wrote the Minister, “it must be appreciated that the sales tax is imposed to produce revenue, the hulk of which, at the present time, is being utilised solely for war purposes." He agreed that it would bo desirable if furniture and other household necessities, both for returned servicemen and other persons, could be exempted front the tax. hut unfortunately it was quite impossible at present, to obtain the revenue required for war purposes, unless goods of those types, in addition to those of less utility value, were made subject to the tax. Suggesting that the welfare of returned personnel should be the first consideration. Mr. L. Cooke stated that revenue could be obtained from other sources. Returned soldiers should not lie penalised in this way.

Butter for Soldiers’ Cakes

Decision was made by the executive to again communicate with the rationing controller urging that an additional butter ration be made available to next-of-kin to make cakes for relatives serving overseas with the New Zealand forces. “If cake manufacturers receive allowances of cooking fats, we should be able to do the same,” commented the president (Mr. G. A. R. McKoy).

While speaking to a returned soldier, he had found that servicemen overseas received butter only when next-of-kin or friends sent it to them, or it came in cakes, said Mr. S. Bowers. Servicemen overseas used mainly margarine in lieu of butter.

Answering an inquiry from the executive the chairman of the associated banks in New Zealand wrote advising that the financial needs of all repatriated prisoners of war were, and would continue to be, well looked after. In all matters relating to the financial welfare of repatriated prisoners of war, the hanks were ready to assist in every possible way. but it appeared that while the war was in progress it would not be practicable for remittances overseas for the benefit of repatriated prisoners to be made through the trading banks as neither the sender nor the banks would know the port of disembarkation.

Unequal Leave Periods Citing the case of a member of the Royal New Zealand Air Force who lmd returned to New Zealand after four years of service overseas, only to be given 28 days’ furlough, Mr. McKoy urged that an equal period of leave be granted all returned personnel. The executive unanimously supported a motion that all returned personnel of all the services overseas be granted 2S days’ furlough with pay for each 12 months of service overseas, instead of the ratio of leave in operation at present. In reply to a request that merchant navy personnel be allowed the same travel facilities as members of the army, the executive had been told that “the matter, was under consideration,” stated Mr. McKoy. while urging that a further letter he forwarded to the Minister concerned. He had heard recently of the case of a merchant navy officer returned from .service in many spheres of the war overseas, who had been told lie would he treated as a civilian during the issue of train travel permits. The executive decided to urge that travelling permits be extended to members of the merchant navy as well as to other branches of the services.

Due to the high cost of living at the present time, the executive decided again to urge thht consideration be given by the authorities concerned to the proposal

that the mufti allowance for disbanded servicemen be increased to £45. The president suggested that if no satisfaction was received from the Minister before the next meeting, all members of Parliament should be circulated with a copy of the remit and the Minister’s replies. “We seem to get somewhere with these circulars,” he stated.

it-was decided to again ask for representation on the local rehabilitation committee, Mr. McKoy commenting that as an association principally concerned with the welfare of the returned servicemen, the association should have some voice on the committee.