UNEMPLOYMENT LEVY.

Southland Times, Issue 21430, 26 June 1931, Page 3

UNEMPLOYMENT LEVY.

To the Editor.

Sir, —In my previous letter on the above subject I offered an open challenge to any Roman Catholic priests. Now, Sir, to-day appeared a letter signed “Brian Boru” not denying one word which I have written, but alas, admitting quite openly that Roman Catholic priests are totally exempt from paying the levy. It appears that this Act was framed and worded under very thin covering, certainly it docs not say Catholic priests are exempt, but after reading “Brian Boru’s” letter, any sane or intelligent person realizes why they are exempt. He says “Catholic priests come under the heading of people who do not receive salary or wages and are not in receipt of income. These religious when they enter the monastries give up all their intercourse with the outside world and spend their lives in the vineyards of the Lord. They do not receive one penny piece year in year out life spent in work of selfsacrifice. Their only reward is the plainest of food and the bare and plainest of clothing. They certainly are exempt from paying the levy.” Now, Sir, I am a farmer and frequently visit your city, and often witness Catholic priests travelling first-class by railway. Can “Brian Boru” tell me if the New Zealand Railways provide these “hard up friends” with a free pass if they are not in receipt of wages to pay for tickets? I notice also they are able to travel round in expensive cars, board at the best hotels, always well dressed, and I have never yet seen one priest line up at Mr T. O'Byrne’s historic soup kitchens. Does “Brian Boru” think it is fair so many of our noble returned soldiers and struggling farmers as well as many others who only own what they stand up in at the present time should pay when these able-bodied “Religious Friends” are exempt from paying the levy? Further still, would “Brian Boru” like to see us back to the days when the Ward Party was in office and Catholics were running in all their glory and rejoicing? It seems as if he does. He says: “Yes the Act is unjust.” Surely, Sir, more unjust after reading such piffle as your correspondent has written in condemnation of the Rev. P. B. Fraser and my worthy friend “Fairminded Tartan."—l am, etc., BLACK WATCH TARTAN. [ln “Brian Boru’s” letter the term “religious” was printed "religions” owing to a mis-reading of. the text. The passage from “Brian Boru’s” letter quoted began “Cath olic religious” not "Catholic Priests” as rendered above. We have been assured that the priests locally have paid the levy and hold receipts.—Ed. S.T.]