POLITICAL PROPAGANDA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23796, 1 May 1939, Page 13

POLITICAL PROPAGANDA

ro CHE EDITOR Sir, —“Kiwi,” in his anxiety to belittle the Government, refers to the taxation levied on boys and girls 16 years and over, the inference being that this is something new in the Dominion. As one of those girls who suffered a 15 per cent. cut. or a tax of 3s in the £ on my wages, I have reason to know that under the National Government the young people were not immune from taxation. That Government, with its National Expenditure Acts, etc., reduced public servants’ wages (including those of cadets and juniors) by 15 per cent, and others to a greater degree, in an effort ■ o balance the Budget. In addition to the above, an unemployment tax of Is in the £ was levied on adult wages. Mr Savage’s Government has succeeded in balancing its Budget without resorting to these questionable methods. Mr Hamilton’s tax on those over 16 years was 2s in the £ greater than the present tax. Indeed, his Government went further and cut the wages of boys and girls under 16 years. The vital difference now is that, whilst Mr Hamilton offered the taxed nothing in return, the Security Act provides sustenance, sick pay. medicine, medical and hospital treatment, plus pensions. I have no doubt that “ Kiwi ’’ would like to obscure these facts, but the public has just cause to remember, and will not readily forget, notwithstanding his literary efforts and those of similar correspondents.—l am. etc.. April 29. M. H, C.