RECRUITING AND TAXATION

NZ Truth, Issue 540, 23 October 1915, Page 4

RECRUITING AND TAXATION

(By J. Duke.)

A Sensible Suggestion

In<ur« the Slaughtered and the

Saved.

There la no need for Conscription, If the Government would adopt tiyj policy as set out m the appended suggestion, I venture to say there would be very little trouble In recruiting another 10,000 m N.Z. There would | be recruits of all description, and mosti ly tho desired class, whjch is comraonly known us the heads; and as 'for taxing the rich man to raise this money, I think it would bo readily responded I to, aa m most cases it could be covered by insurances.' \ Whether, or not; what is the rich man giving, m comparison to what the j recruits are giving? Where is the fairneas of our leaders? They pay 4% per cent to the rich man for a war loan; while they ask our boys — mostly workers— to give their life and blood for nothing; and j talking of compelling them to do so; , which if adopted will j LEAD TO A REBELLION, which, no doubt. Kaiser Bill would like. The suggestion that I make Is: — [ That two hundred pounds bo paid 1 into the P.O. Savings Bank to the credit of each person going: to the front; this amount to be paid to them on their return, and, m the event of their death, the amount to be paid to their wives, parents, or noxt-of-kin, II this were done, they would have, on their return, something to give them a start m business (and a great number will return wounded, and need assistance), or if they fall m battle their parents or next-of-kin will receive some litUo compensation for the loss they have sustained. To raiso this amount, I suggest a straight tax of, say, £200 on every £2000 worth of property or money held by the rich, and also that every Minister of tho Crown pay £200. iwid every sitting member £1 00 out of his salary. I feel sure that this scheme, if put into operntlon, giving tis it does the young men some encouragement, would cause a great number to enlist. It would also give our wealthy people a chance to show HOW LOYAL THEY ARE. Many of tho younj? men I have spoken to say that it is not the fear of going to the war and getting killed that they care about, but it Is tho coming buck minus a limb, or some other disablement, and being loft to battle for a cruar as beat they can. Of course, they have hud a lot of promises from the Government, out when the war is over, and thoy havo served their turn, their claims are often evaded, more especially whoa a man is poor and has no society or nodal or political influence to back up his claims.