SOCIAL SECURITY AND TAXATION

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

SOCIAL SECURITY AND TAXATION

It) CHE EDITOR Sir—Mr Savage is wrong. He was not given a mandate from the people to interfere with their medical and hospital system; neither was he given a mandate to dissipate the people’s heritage. Now that he is opposed by members of the medical profession (who know that the people are behind them) he says: “ I will have something to say about this,” etc., and “The Government's side of it will be quite definite.” And the drawl and the kindliness are both noticeably absent; instead, there is threat in every word. The Government is ruining our lovely and once prosperous New Zealand in every possible way, and I believe that an election now would show that the people who were duped by Mr Savage’s idle promises have seen through them—and him. Of course, there always are a few brainless people who think it really possible to get something for nothing, but the average New Zealander, a decent and industrious citizen, does not want such people to rule and ruin his country. Before the election. Mr Hamilton speaking over the air, said that the Labour Government, if put back in office, would tax the housewife and the daughter who stops at home to help her. The next night was Mr Savage’s turn, and I heard him say with emphasis: “We will not tax the housewife,” and “We will not tax the daughter who stops home to help her mother”! But we, the oppressed, talk and talk, always fiercely indignant, at this injustice and that, and some of us write letters, but can nothing be done? Oh, for a leader! Is there no hope for the women of New Zealand at all? What of the great fight put up for us and for our freedom and emancipation by Mrs Pankhurst and her plucky helpers? Are we going to lose everything just so easily that we meekly walk into a Post Office and register ourselves and give ss, which is not ours to give? Register one’s dog,. perhaps, but not oneself. The alternative with the dog, of course, is that it can be shot. If 50,000 Dunedin women and 50,800 in each of the other centres would band together and refuse this taxation their action would undoubtedly have a most vital effect —and then we might get a social security scheme which would be just and safe. Let us, as New Zealanders, follow the brave example of our doctors, and stand fast to our heritage of individual freedom. It is now that we must stand fast, or we fall under greater domination and taxation. —1 am, etc., Christchurch. R. A. B. ro THE EDITOR Sir, —Twenty-two women gathered to protest against the iniquity of taxation and against its needlessness and growth. Are there only those few women with the courage to come forward to condemn the iniquity of a few exotic tax collectors in imposing a tax on themselves and their children to pay for benefits they ma ,r never receive? Surely not. They pointed out the Douglas road to prosperity and plenty for all. I know nothing about the Douglas Credit system, but I do know that we have a new monetary system made in New Zealand second to none in the world, and that is ready to be put into operation on short notice. If this boasted social security scheme, which has been looming in the distance for four years is the biggest in the world, it is too big and expensive for the people of New Zealand, tl could be included in our exports with politicians. With a new monetary system in operation, none of our present legislation will be required, and so our Government will have to turn a complete somersault to find out it has been barking up the wrong tree. All our legislation is like one of our city streets: the more it is patched the worse it .gets. We need to wipe the whole lot out and begin the second century with a new regime with allNew Zealand talent in our Government.—l am. etc., J. Campbell. April 30.