OUR BEST EFFORTS WANTED

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2613, 8 November 1915, Page 6

OUR BEST EFFORTS WANTED

Sir,—ln your issue of November 1, reporting the recruiting rally in. Wellington, Mr. Wilford spoke as follows "We are asked by Old England to help. There she stood—the parent, the author of our existence—calling to us." Personally I should have liked that the names of "Ould Ireland" and "Auld Scotland" had been coupled with that of England. 'All the same, tho note struck by tlie" speaker rings true, and should find a rondy response in the heart and mind of the 'thinking portion of the community. So far there has been plenty of platform oratory, but few practical suggestions have been put forward. And the question how wo may best help the parents and authors of our existence is not quite clear. Would an ordinary family of sons and daughters worthy of the name, and rich in this world's goods stand aloof and see their parents and authors of tlieir present prosperity haggling with financial hucksters for temporary accommodation in timo of stress? No, sir, tho last available sovereign would be at the service of the old people, and that without the necessity of being asked for. The overseas Dominions can, do no less, if they do their, duty. I suggest that tho Government tako the necessary stops to remit u credit of ten million without interest as a first instalment. A crank, I hear someone say. Why? Would the fact of remitting that amount in any way cripple our powers of production? No. Witli an estimated return from exports of, say, thirty millions for tho current year, and our imports restricted to what are really necessaries, there should bo a substantial balance iii our favour after discharging all liabilities. Will tho Germans if they happen our way make any bones about rounding up the dollars? No, sir. Well, then, why not use theso same dollars in a way that may help to keep the German at arm's length, instead of them lying useless in the bank coffers of tho Dominion. Now, sir, what we want at the present time are strong men at the head of affairs— men who will not be pulled this way or that by one vosted interest or the other. We may have them now. For the sake of all concerned. I hope so.—[ am, etc., J, CORIUE,