BONUS FOR SOLDIERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16661, 17 February 1922, Page 8

BONUS FOR SOLDIERS.

* AMERICAN PROPOSAL. j PRESIDENT’S LETTER. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright, i Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. j (Received Felwuarv 17. 11.35 a-.m.; W ASHING TON, February 10. President Harding sent a letter to | the House AVays and Means Com- l mittee in which he declared that the soldier bonus could bo postponed until a more favourable time unless Congress was willing to adopt a general sales tax. The letter makes it doubtful if the bonus will be passed, bore is strong opposition to a vales tax. (A message received yesterday stated : lor the time being the treaties have disappeared from view in face of the tremendous political controversy which has sprung into existence over the Soldier Bonds Bill, which is xiow being formulated, giving ex-service men monetary assistance. It is regarded as a political measure framed with o. view to the Congressional selections which are to be made next autumn President Harding and Mr A. W. Mellon, Secretary to the Treasury, strongly advined against, giving a bonus i at this time, but tho Republican Majority favours tho bonus, which will be -•naeted. The whole country is agitated. Business men and the farmers oppose :he measure. Congressmen do not ,:now how to raise the revenue for the •onus, and they seem to be perplexed. Ihe daily debates in Congress strike the sparks of a serious conflict.)