DISTRESS RELIEF

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2415, 22 March 1915, Page 6

DISTRESS RELIEF

POOR OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND AND BELGIUM RELIEF FUND. The objects of this fund are to provide by voluntary contributions from the people of New Zealand, food, clothing, and general assistance for those in distress in Great Britain, Ireland, and Belgium as a result of the war. Mr. Lan Duncan (of Messrs Levin and Co., Ltd.) is hon. treasurer of the fund, Mr. William Pryor (National Mutual Buildings) is hon. secretary of the Wellington branch, Mr. R. W. Shallcrass, of the N.Z. Sports Protection League, is general secretary for New Zealand. £ s. d. Previously acknowledged... 39,558 8 10 New Plymouth Branch of Fund (making total of £2000 from branch) 400 0 0 H. M. Campbell, Hawke's Bay, proceeds sale of 15 bullocks 188 9 9 Hawera and District Branch of Fund (additional) 600- 0 0 "A Connaught Man" 0 5 0 £40,747 3 7 PATRIOTIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

The N.Z. Patriotic Society's (Wellington Branch) grand concert in aid of the Belgians takes place this ovening. The concert will be given by members of the Reinforcements in camp at Trentliam, in the Town 1-1 all, and will be presided over by the, -Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), supported by other prominent public men. The Trentham camp band will make its initial appearance, while the Tramways Band will render special patriotic selections prior to the concert. Gift articles will be auctioned during the evening. Local talent will contribute its share to the programme, and, judging by reports, the Belgian Fund will life augmented by a liandsorhe figure. Members of the National Reserve will Darado at Courtenay Place at 7,15 p.m.,

where the Tramways Band will meet and play them en route to the Town Hall. THE "DOMINION" LIST, Contributions to the fund for the relief of the Belgians in distress will subsequently be forwarded to the authorities in Belgium'for distribution:— £ s. d. Previously acknowledged... 22,085 14 7 Harvest Festival special offering, St. Stephen's Church, Marfan 13 4 4 S Fullerton Smith, proceeds sale of electric lamps 2 10 0 Total 22,101 18 11 PATRIOTIC AND OTHER FUNDS. The following sundry ' contributions have been received by the Prime Minister for the Patriotic and other funds 'Colonial Motor Co., Ltd., Wellington' 105 0 0 Waipawa County Council, Waipawa 5 15 0 *Onga Onga Committee (Lindsay School children), (2nd instalment)' 2 15 6 *North Taranaki Patriotic • League, Waitara 200 0 0 "Belgian Relief Fund. THE BELCIAN RELIEF FUND, (To' the Editor;)

Sir,—Mr. Percy M'Hardy's handsome contribution to the Belgian Relief Fund will be generally appreciated, and should stimulate others fa follow hi 6 example. He has not been deterred by the tear that .the Germans might possibly get a portion of it. The administration of the Relief Fund Seems fa preclude this. I' fear that l his remarks may mislead your readers, and that they may conclude that all farmers are doing as well as he has done, and.they can well bear more than their fair share of the proposed war taxation. The farmers' profits usually depend more on the I price he has paid for his land in proportion fa its earning capacity. Thus the farmer is on a gooa wicket who has bought land of good quality at a nominal price, or inherited it, especially if it be suburban, thus sharing in the enormous increase in the value of fawn lands. The less fortunate farmer who has bought poor land .at high prices has a continuous struggle with adversity. The last two or three dry. years have in many cases accentuated this. Ihe drought in Hawke's Bay and some other districts necessitated the early shearing of sheep and a light clip, sold previous to the advance in price of wool. Later the forward lambs were frozen in poor condition, and the balance sold very cheaply. Cattle and sheep had to be sold at a sacrifice, as there wa6 no feed. _ These were bought by the holders of rich land in the more humid districts at their own prices and fattened for the freezing works at a big profit. Their sheep being shorn later had a heavier clip, which wa6 sold at full war rates. The farmer in the Manawatu and West Coast has had everything in his favour, while his less fortunate brother has suffered every way. When the rain comes he will have to replace the stock- which he has almost given away by buying at fancy prices. Notwithstanding', ho - does not begrudge his more fortunate brother nor say that his gains- were-ill-gotten, as but for the luxuriant feed on the West Coast his plight would havo been worse. We ask that in imposing a war tax it should not be based on the exceptional profits made in good districts, but the losses of those less favoured should be considered.

Judging by your correspondence columns there is the usual desire to make the other man pay. It must be obvious that an increase in the land tax would press very unequally, but a small tax on exports would be paid by those who are benefiting by these war prices and would also tend to keep the price of food down. —I am, etc., HAWKE'S BAY.