"BRITAIN'S BURDENS & OURS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2559, 6 September 1915, Page 6

"BRITAIN'S BURDENS & OURS

...... — : —i- - ■ . (To the Editoi;.), Sir, —Allow me to congratulate you on tlio. very able sub-leader appearing ill - your issue of September 1 on the abovesubject. I trust your articlo -will go forth throughout our Dominion .and re-: ceive universal publication, so that our : own pepole may fully realise the duty and debt we owe our Motherland. We in this colony may think we are doing 'a great deal, but it is only when such comparisons as you state are placed before us that we iind our efforts .and assistance . fall far short of what they should lie, and what is'our due proportion. - ■- ■ V From our infancy we have lived and prospered under tho : protection of the Onion Jack, and in the hour of .trialand suffering of our Motherland 'it is our duty, both by word and deed, to assist to our very utmost, .and any sacrifice we.may make mil not bo too great. This is "no .time for. wrangling over what should or should not,, be. We now have a National Cabinet in whom the Doriiinibn should place full trust and power, and allow them to fulfil' to the utmost our duty and obligation to Empire and Motherland. What does it', matter though* our. Government demand our all, both'in men and money, 'for'will it not be better to win out and be under the British flag, than havo ,to submit to German rule? It is the duty of every citizen of. this colony to . assist with zeal the cause of our Empire and .freedom, and if we fail in such;duty, and should misfortune overtake our armies, then we shall justly deserve the. l fate that is in storo for us. Wo have .the men and money, and if we.do not unite in this common cause for liberty and freedom, tho Empire's call will indeed have fallen on very deaf ears. Mr. -Wilford, with the best of intentions, mentioned in the House several names connected with, the patriotic movement (though he omitted the oharnpion; Sir W. Buchanan), and suggested that such men who had given largo sums should not bo asked to pay more. That idea is unworkable,. and has not been thought\of by the true. , patriotic spirit, lite man who gives, in a small way very often gives more in proportion to the one who gives great, and the sons who offer and have-given their lives, also the fathers: and. ruothors of, same, are the ones who have given most of all. What is -to be their . refund ? What patriotism is thore in a gift were the Government td refund same in the way of allowance off taxation.? andl feel sure the patriotic moneys subscribed by the colony have been freely* given for King and country, without fear or favour of any Government.—l am, otc., „ . . P. A. M.'HABDY, Beauhou, • Palmerston North, '" September 2, 1916.