LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2428, 6 April 1915, Page 8

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

SELLINC FAT STOCK. Sir, —Why cannot the meat producers combine in the same way as the butter and cheese producers have- done, pooling their produce and selling it in one lot? Every farmer's sheep can be killed and graded separately; he-is' then credited with the total weights of his mutton, wool, skins, etc., and would be paid his share according to his weights. Each district eould have its own association, which could attend to the drafting and trucking at the railway and do the selling of the produce for that district.—l am, etc., HENRY F. COOM. Makuri, March 29, 1915. A SOLDIER AND A GENTLEMAN. Sir,—ln your issue of this morning's date I notice a letter signed by "Curious" in. regard to Amazonian patrols near military camps. I gather that your correspondent considers that once a man has donned tho King's uniform he . has ceased to be a gentleman, therefore losing his respect for the weaker sex. Jlay I point out that every .man who wears the King's uniform .becomes a gentleman, and also his respect for women is increased? I consider tne average civilian a far more dangerous individual, and such may be proved by taking a walk through the Wellington streets any evening. To cast such an unmerited slur on . the Dominion Forces at this hour of need is an insult to say the least of it. I ha.ve been stationed in many of the large English military stations, and 1 can honestly, say that the number of young women who need protection in these towns is far less than those of the city. ' I presume your correspondent belongs to that unenviable type who consider the man who wears a military uniform a braggart and a scoundrel.—l am, '' AN EX-IMPERIAL OFFICER. LAND FOR ABSENT SOLDIERS. Sir, —Your sub-leader in this morning's issue dealing with the relations of our absent men to the land ballot is excellent in its way, but unfortunately, to my mind, it doos not go far enough. On the face of it, it does seem a monstiqus thing that the men who offered their lives for the salvation of the country should be penalised in their temporal -affairs (granted they return safe and sound) by their very act of self-sacrifice, whilst the Tecreant, the coward and sluggard is not only permitted to remain, but by Ibis ignoble conduct is benefited by the sacrifice of those who went, while he remained behind. It is nonsense to say that the matter cannot be helped. -It can and must be helped. In times like the present the Governor has practically unlimited power and with the agreement of the Government can suspend the operation of the Act for at least twelve months. As.the position now stands some grievous wrongs may be perpetrated, unless immediate steps are -taken to stop the ballot taking place at all. The suggestion by the "Otago Daily Times" that relatives should be allowed to represent absent candidates for land seems to me to be impracticable. Their consent would first have to be obtained .and some who gained prizes might be killed or -rendered unfit for work. Better suspend the Act .altogether or at the pleasure of the Governor. I trust your next leader will .deal witW the subject in a much more dircct and stronger fashion.—l am, etc., ,

AGHICOLA. [If we follow our correspondent's contention corrcctly it is that no Crown lands should be parted with by the Government during the absence of our troops from New Zealand. While it is possible to appreciate his motive the course he proposes would be unwise and the end he aims at might be attained in better ways.] THE WAR'TAX. Sir, —May I add to the number of people who have given advice as to the best way of raising money for the coming war tax? Among the number of counsellors apparently none has thought of the Post Office. Why not revert• to the postal charges in forcebefore the -universal penny system was introduced ? The charge of a penny for delivery within the town at which a letter was posted, twopence to any otlior part of New Zealand and a furtber half-penny outside the Dominion seems reasonable enough; nobody complained, the extra charge would fall mostly on those best able to bear it; it could not readily be passed on to others as in the case of Customs. It could not be evaded and the rost of collection would be nil.—l am, etc. -■ c.w'.s.