THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6970, 9 November 1909, Page 6

THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

fib tho Editor “N.Z. Timea.”) Sir, —One can be but amused at the perturbation displayed by some of oar most hopeless bounders of Masseydom, and their chief organ of sq uatocracy, at tho idea that “Tom, Dick, and Harry" should bo allowed to decide on important questions themselves, though it is generally admitted by, persons whose minds are not warped entix*ely by selfish motives that tho Referendum is* the safest way to decide all important tissues. In view of tho intportance of the following questions, and the clearness of tho issues, I fail to see why wo should not relieve Parliament of • some of Its labours and decide these matters for ourselves; so, therefore, Air Editor, with your permission I beg to move that at tho next general election the electors be handed a voting paper with tho following issues printed thereon: — I vote that No Licenses bo granted in this Dominion. I vote that Licenses continue. I vote that the totalisator and bookmaker be abolished. I vote that the totalisator and bookmaker retained, I vote that compulsory military training be adopted. I vote that compulsory military training be rejected.

As to the loss of revenue that would accrue if Swipes, Rooks and Coy. were wiped out, a little instalment of Lloyd-Geoi-gc*s policy would not come amiss. A tax on unearned and a substantial increase in the death duties (now don't squirm, “Dominions!**) would surely make up tho deficiency. We should, of course, get the usual shriek of “Socialism/* but as I was an ardent “Clarion** scout in the Cold Country for some years, I can assure »iy gentle and individualist readers that you have no such thing as a Socialist in Parliament here as yet.—l am, etc., C,G. Petone, November 4th