IAN Murray’s recent weekly editorial, trivialises either by accident or design a subject that is the cause of bitter indignation by the vast majority of the populace, namely tax avoidance.

To compare unethical, reprehensible tax avoidance as on par with duty free goods at airports is neither correct nor fair.

Duty free by law is open to all who travel, whereas tax avoidance is open to those who can afford to manipulate the law.

Neither do I believe the insinuation that everyone would do so if they could.

There are many wealthy individuals who are proud to pay their dues and support our vital services, ie Robson Green, Ricky Tomlinson, Paul O’Grady and many others in business, entertainment and sport.

Figures issued by various financial institutions suggest tax avoidance runs into hundreds of billions each year and many of our public services would not be depleted as they are, if people paid their dues.

As long as such laissez-faire statements are made such as Ian Murray’s, we are unlikely to ever achieve a fair society. The rule should be simple, if the money is made here, the tax should be paid here.

If those indulging in tax avoidance were to pay their fair share of tax, particularly the big companies, they would still make huge profits.

The system is grounded in pure greed. Yes, we should encourage the entrepreneurs and business, the majority support that view.

All we ask is for a fairer society, not the present system, which is, anything but fair, the proverbial one law for the rich, another for the poor.

Anyway, so-called duty free goods are still dearer than the local supermarket.

I don’t buy them.

Now, must dash to catch the plane to Panama to see my financial adviser.

MR D R SMITH

Bitterne