LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 593, 4 January 1916, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

I ' ANXIOUS TO BE TAXED. To the Editor of THE SUN. Sir, —Several letters have appealed in the newspapers lately from reputedly well-to-do persons, demanding to be taxed more heavily. The Government, they say. should "'conscript" wealth to a much greater extent than it has hitherto done, and the process should accompany conscription of men for the Expeditionary Forces. At first glance it would appear that the sentiment does these patriots credit. It is not often that persons come forward and ask the Government to divest them of a portion of their wealth for any purpose whatever, anil no doubt the present invitation will not be overlooked by the Minister of Finance. But, at the risk of being thought | ungenerous. I would suggest that some of these gentlemen, who arc writing letters to the papers, demanding that they be taxed while others are sent to the war, should first satisfy the public that they arc really ineligible for military service themselves. We have heard a good deal about the man who gets married to provide himself with an excuse for not going to the war, but I don't think he is any worse than the man who relies on the fact that he is just over the age, although thoroughly sound in wind, limb, and pocket, and without any dependents. If is a matter of common knowledge that a great many men whose keenness for active service led them to understate their ages have been accepted, and it seems to me that a disinclination to do likewise is not atoned for by a willingness to be taxed.—l am, etc., CITIZEN. If you love gardening, you need Tuk Sun Gardening Book. Price 1/-. ported 1/3.