Evening star., 1941-09-01

on government pensions, were urged
to take jobs in the fields and fac
tories.
'As far as New Zealand is con-
cerned. We are trying to give 100
per cent service in every direction
as part of the British Common
wealth of Nations" Frank Langs-
ton. New Zealand commercial rep
resentative here and holder of four
portfolios in the New Zealand cabi-
net. says.
The burden of paying for the war
lies heavy on New ZealanderS. The
expenditure last year was about
! Sl20.O00 900, half of which went to
maintaining the troops and ships
abroad and half for home defense.
| This year the New Zealand budget
assigns 69,0OO0OO pounds, or around
S325. .000,0 ,000 to the war effort. On
the basis of relative popula tons,
this would be the equivalent of an
outlay of about $50 900 900 900 in the
United States, about 5000 for every
man. woman and child. The aver
age American outlay is $50 in taxes.
Australia tries to finance the war
on the basis of raising one-third
of the money by taxation and two
thirds by borrowing. New Zealand
has made an effort to finance the
greatest part OF the war expendi-
lures out OF current revenue. This
means high rate of taxation and
the subjection Of almost all persons
to taxation. The income tax starts
at half'a crown on pound. ratio
of about cents on the dollar. and
mounts up to II shillings pence
on the pound. which is about four
| flfthS of the income in the higher
brackets.
3.5OO.0O0 Pounds In Loans.
New Zealand last year raised
3,50000 pounds BY loan. Bankers
gave the Government the use OF
| 1000 900 pounds free of interest. and
the Government floated one COM
pulSory loan. without interest for
the period of the war. and 25 per
cent interest for the 13 years after
the wars close.
Like Australia. New Zealand con-
trolls prices and wages. Increase in
prices in the dominion is prohibited
unless the price tribunal approves.
after long inquiry into all the
questions affecting the situation.
After 40 years under a labor gov
ernment. New Zealand has de-
veloped system of industrial arbi-
tration and conciliation which pro-
vides rigid wage control and sets
severe penalties for striking.
Far from any oil fields. the New
Zealand government has rationed
gasoline, or benzene. as it is called
there. The ration is 3 gallons a
month for an 8-horsepower car
and 8 gallons for larger cars. New
Zealand is building up reserve of
benZene in the event that anv un-
toward development in the Pacific
might cut the country off from
sources of supply. Further to dis
courage its use. the government
taxes benzene at the rate of
shilling almost a quarter, a gallon
New Zealand is politically
conscious country Debates of Par
lament. which meets in the evening
are broadcast.
The Union of South Africa. home
OF 2OO3,857 white persons. has taken
Leading part in the British mill
tary operations which erased the
Italian Empire in East Africa The
dominion declared war September
8, 1899. when Italy was still neutral
but 1t was fully realized that if italy
did enter the war on the side of
Germany. South Africa's own in
terests and security would be i'm
mediately challenged.
AbySSinian Forces Threat
1t was known in Capetown that
strong Italian forces were in Abvs-
slnla, and, while the distance be-
tween Abyssinia and the Union of
South Africa is more than 1000
miles, these days of swift military
movement and the use of aviation
rendered the forces of Abyssinia a
threat.
Since the South African Defense
Act, the legislative basis for South
African conscription was interpreted
as prohibiting the use of conscripts
north OF the equator, the govern
ment called for volunteers to fight
or TO be ready to fight in the Italian
East African sector, which is north
OF the equator. These South African
soldiers are known as Springboks,
from the Afrikaans word for ante
lope.
The South African expeditionarv
force was based in Kenya, British
East Africa. and $4,000 volunteers
took part in the long campaign that
broke the Italian hold-after Italian
entrance into the war had shown
the wisdom OF South African prep
arations-in Abyssinia, Eritrea and
Somaliland
Normal South African military
policy has served to provide the
dominion with skilled troops. Under
the South African system, for a
number OF years youths have passed
from their school cadet corps to
compulsory training with Union de-
fense forces. So nearly all the re-
cruits were trained men before the
war began, and South Africa boasts
that its soldiers have the highest
standard of craftsmanship in the
British commonwealth.
Many Volunteers.
Besides the mobile field force
operating in East Africa, the Union
has a larger number of volunteers
under arms for home defense and
many hundreds serving with British
forces in other quarters. 1t is max
ing its contribution to England.
The South African royal navy,
based at Simonstown, assumes the
protection of South Africa's coasts
and guards her ocean commerce.
South Africa has attempted to
equip and supply its forces from it's
own resources, according to the
South African Legation here. and
industry has been mobilized for the
production of all the kit and equip
ment for the expeditionary force.
The production of armored cars is
being pushed.
Income taxes and super taxes
have been increased bv 20 per cent