I agree with T Livingston (The Weekend Sun, August 31) re a transaction tax.

Not only would it do away with GST and personal and company tax, it would do away with all those people occupying tax offices, all the inspectors, all the cars they drive round in, all the rent they pay on office space, or money invested in buildings.

In the past this was investigated and at that time the government needed $59 billion to operate when a two per cent transaction tax would have brought in approximately $135 billion, enough money for us to have the best education system in the world, all our roading requirements met, and the best healthcare system in the world. Nobody dying because drugs are not funded. All the tax staff could well be afforded to be pensioned off.

Sadly, that's all too easy and no New Zealand government would have the guts to do it.

A Bourne, Bethlehem.