THE DUTY ON PETROL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23882, 9 August 1939, Page 5

THE DUTY ON PETROL

TO THE EDITOR

Sir, —I have just read a letter in your paper signed "Disappointed But Still a Labourite." Reading it very carefully, I have come to the conclusion that a married woman was not the writer. She states that the women and children will have to suffer by the increase in the duty on petrol. Would not they suffer just as much by an increase in the price of beer and tobacco? Would any decent woman begrudge her husband his smoke? I think not, nor would any decent wife refuse her husband a glass of beer. This being so. what is the result. The wife is begrudged her car and even her bread and butter. There are only a few men that will do this, but something seems to tell me that her husband (if she has one) is one of the few. Your correspondent states that Mr Hamilton and his party promised several things if they were returned to power. The only promise I heard them make was that the party would reduce the fee on radio licences, which, I agree, is far in excess of what it should be and that they would help in promoting conditions whereby more children might be born in the Dominion. An increase in the tax on amusements would have amply provided the money that is required. The higher a thing is priced the more the consumer pays, but one can surely pay if one wants amusements. Even "Disappointed But Still a Labourite" can live without that, but by her letter she wants everything, but is quite aggreable to down the opposite sex.—l am, etc., Good Luck to Mr Hamilton. August 7.

TO THE EDITOR Sir, —While feeling sorry about the petrol duty on account of " Disappointed But Still a Labourite," I think that, as she says herself, she would be far worse off if the Opposition were in power, as then she would not have a car, much less petrol, and she would be mighty lucky if she had enough to eat. No doubt, as she says, she suffered under the Opposition party before. She must know that if it did get in again—which God forbid—her husband's wages would get' a big cut for a start. If I am not mistaken petrol was up to 2s 4d a gallon at one time. "Disappointed But Still a Labourite" admits that she has enough to eat and still obtains a bit of pleasure. That means a lot after starving a few years ago. I know I shall not forget it. Mr Hamilton and his party are greatly concerned about the petrol rise. It will most likely cost a few more shillings at the freezing works in Southland . which made huge profits during the depression out of the workers with cheap labour. Now Mr Hamilton is dreadfully worried about the lost of living for the people and about the public servants' wages. Yet he was one of them who cut the civil servants' wages to zero and starved the fieople or helped to do so. -As for the petrol tax ruining the farmers. I was in Southland recently, and several farmers told me they were better off than ever they were through the operation of the guaranteed price, and I saw for myself, in places which I visited, that there were cars, wireless sets, etc.. which they could not get a few years ago. It is only another political squeal that is being raised over' the petrol duty, so why worry? We will get plenty of sauealing before long if war breaks out. Let "Disappointed But Still a Labourite" cheer ud. She will set the petrol the same as the man will get his beer, tax or no tax.—l am. etc.. Always Labourite. Dunedin, August 8.