WAR CONTRIBUTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2570, 18 September 1915, Page 3

WAR CONTRIBUTIONS.

■ Sir,—May I be allowed to suggest that if, as you assert, every mail and woman should be organised in defence ot our freedom from German aggression, an equal responsibility rests upon the Government to see that'wealth contributes its share also? Can anyone justly say it is doing so ? The Budget shows in every lino a want of statesmanlike grasp of tho necessity of tho moment. The paltry method of collecting revenue by increased taxes on kerosene petrol, and stamps, etc., is uuworthy of tfte occasion. What is want- ?. 15 ? 011 wealth proportionate to the obligations it places on others If as you assert, it is the duty of- every young man to enlist, those who possess ik • these men are laying down their lives to protect should. bo compelled to. contribute a large proportion of their possessions to'.the common stock. 1 know, Sir, of two farmers not-a hundred miles from here, who have lately made from land speculation £32,000; yet their contribution to tho Patriotic x'und was £3! If, as these men say, it is incumbent on the workers to fight, it equally becomes landowners, moneyed' corporations syndicates, and banks, t'n l , 0 hill. A, forced levy should have been made on tbem proportionate to their assessed wealth, and it even a largo -share was thus taken, it would only ho just, sinco the man without wealth is sacrificing his ailviz his very life. While on this subject, may I ask-again what are wo going to do for our' returned wounded soldiers? Ar© we going to let them starve because they aro crippled and unable to work? What is the use.of talking about giving them gum-lands to grow Iruit on? How can a crippled man without resources grow fruit trees? And what is he to live on while they are 'growing? Why, Sir, do not some 01-tho landed aristocrats of Hawke's ijay come forward ,and give some of their- good lands for the men who have !'® en „ cn an d maimed fighting for "hem. That would be more to the point than "stirring words of welcome, , or evfen memorial tablets in the lown Hall. Surely if these men ask us for bread, shall wo give them a stone? I hope to seo some abler pen taking up this good cause, until we shall have somo guarantee for our heroes future welfare—l am, etc., X Ngaio, September 14, 1915. LOur correspondent ignores the fact that provision has been mado by the Mate for the payment of pensions to crippled soldiers.]