LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2712, 6 March 1916, Page 7

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

THE DRINK QUESTION.

Sir, —In view of statements'mado by ' the New Zealand Allianco I. think it right- that til oho . who do not follow passing ovents closely should ho made awaro that the King had to break his' self-imposed pledge and tako alcoholic refreshments again for health reasons, end under doctor's orders. That when our soldiers arrive in Egypt they immediately have the privilege of a wet canteen, and the glorious deeds of the Anzacs were performed by men who had had a long acquaintance with the wot canteen system before goiug into action on Gallipoli, That there has never been prohibition in Russia, but only a Government relinquishment of the vodka monopoly, and a ban upon that particular compound. Latost reports from Russia show that vodka is being replaced by illicit concoctions of an even viler nature. . These aro' manufactured ,oft of filtrations of lacquer and var- ' Jiish, denatured alcohol and wood alcohol with snuff, pepper, and other spices. The consumption ol these frightful compounds is responsible for terrible human suffering, blindness,'and death. "Medical societies have found it necessary to caution the public against the .use of denatured alcohol, and have even asked permission to post notices of warning m the streets and other publio places" ("Atlantic Monthly," December, 1915). IV is also necessary, sir, to. tell, those who do not go about the city much at liight that the behaviour of our, soldiers is exemplary. We are putting into the field the finest army that ever wore King's uniform. Those who are agitating for restrictions on liquor "for the sake of our soldiers," are, unconsciously 310 doubt, casting a quite undeserved slur upon our bravest ancl best. Surely at the present time recruiting should ho our first thought, and would it not be as well for us to stick to a system that has worked so smoothly and excellently for nineteen months of war? The present agitation will not help recruiting, and can we do better than send out another lot of "Anzacs"?—l am, etc., ' EVERYMAN. , CONSCRIPTION OF WEALTH. Sir, —It quite refreshing to read the common-sense remarks of the Prime Minister in your issue of Friday, in reply to the _ "Maoriland Worker's" twaddle on - this subject. That paper knows just as well .as Mr. Massey does that wealth is now "conscripted" for war purposes; but-what the paper in question and its followers are really driving at is to have nil the cost of the war put upon the fanner—"on the land, - ' as they call it. The Socialists are trying to take advantage of the war to push their wheelbarrow on a bit, and always at the cost of the man who works the land. If the "Maoriland Worker" owned a farm, which I do not think it ever will, and had just received its income-tax demand, as most farmers , did this week, it would have all doubts about land not paying its_ share of ■ war taxation removed. This tax is an extremely heavy 0110 now. What it will mean (when prices of produce go back to normal, or lower, remains to be seen, but I am sure of this, that the farmers'of | New Zealand are now paying their full proportion of war expenses up .to date, and, as a class, .they are glad to do so. The constant repetition which goes on in the. "Maoriland Worker" and other papers which should, and probably do, know better, about.the par pfofits of farmers Is absolutely ridiculous. It is'entirely forgotten that the cost of production of all farm produce, but especially of grain, has gone'up enormously lately. \ Wages .of ploughmen, for instance, have gone np 75 per cent, within the last few years, and wages of harvesters have increased by 50 per cfent. A good ploughman can now get £2 a week and found, as compared with 2os. a few years ago, and harvesters are now getting Is. 6d. and found, as compared with ,Is. an hour three years ago. Then all other labour: shepherds, milkers, stockmen, bushfallers, fencers, and builders, and indeed all labour is being paid aboil? 50 per cent! more now; besides this, wire, corrugated iron, cement, fertilisers, and everything used on a farm is greatly enhanced in cost. But the worst feature is the "go-slow" policy adopted by many men of the class especially who support the "Maoriland Worker." An experienced farm manager can always spot them, and if he is wise, lie gives them the "run" first chance. He will get no work done while they are on his farm. No man can tell what happen after this war; but I' would like to warn the farmers of /New Zealand that if they do not "bucks up" and take more interest in the government of the country they will find themselves left to pay more than their sharo of the war .expenses, aud when prices fall they won't be able to carry on. Why Is Tfew Zealand prosperous? Simply because the farmers last year got good prices for the bulk of their stuff —prices which are going to be much lower this season, especially for grain. - < v The worst curse that New Zealand' suffers from is the class of men who are behind the "Maoriland Worker." They will neither work themselves, nor let other men work. ■ I hope the farm- . ers will keep their eye on them andtheir representatives in Parliament next. Bession, when war taxation is .being; dealt with. It will pay them to do so. One word more. I suppose fourfifths of the farmers of New Zealand started as farm labourers. By their industry they became farm owners and employers. The Socialist thinks the , State should take over tlieso farms and work them for the public benefit. That if the "Maoriland Worker's" idea of justice and fair dealing.. Mr. Massey points out how preposterous and ridiculous such a. contention is. I desire to v ndd that such a c'ouTse of action would be directly opposed to the interest of the workers themselves. It would lessen production. And the only sound cure for the increased cost of living, about which we hear so much, is to increase production.—l am, etc., ARGUS. ROYAL CHORAL SOCIETY. , Sir,—At the. meeting held a few days 'ago a. member, of tho above society, Sir. A. H. Miles. gave utterance to certain views iii connection with Mr. Bernard F. Page, and as by a somewhat unusual coincidence there are two members of tho society bearing the same namo and initiajs. "A. H. Milos," I shall be glad if you will allow mo to make it known that I am not the "A. H. Miles" in question. Several of my friends, knowing that I havo always given Mr. Bernard Pago my utmost support, have been surprised to find tho utterances adverse to him already i eferred to. I trust the publication of this letter will put tlio matter clear as far as I am concerned. This explanation is somewhat belated, owing to the fact that I havo been on tlio sick list for several days.—l am, etc., A. H. MILES; 3!) Hobson Street, Wellington. March 5. SLAVERY OF THE WORKINC MAN. Sir, —I hardly consider your correspondent, _Mr. Vavasour, deserves a reply to his letter. Still, a few words may not be out of place, if only to inform him that the "half-educated" working man is not. likely to act upon. Tils advice any more than Lord. Kitchener would on advice received from IKerlfn as to the manner in which it would be best to conduct the war. The working man has more than a suspicion that any advice from that quarter could, with safety, be turned down. He may be only "half-educated-" but he has

just sufficient to enable him to perform home really useful service to mankind, such as building bridges, Lusitanias, railway .ongines, make even roads, erect universities and mansions in order that ungrateful Mr. Vavasour might attend at_"house parties" to display his education. Would not his conversation bo edifying ? It always interests a- working man with a large family and an income of 9s. por diem to hear about these house parties. They eagerly scan your columns for accounts of them. As to the suggestion of "murder" in his letter, well, I hardly think tfiat KiTs ruthloss slaughter which is going on in the world to-day is the result of a meeting of labour agitators, neither is' the wholesale destruction of property the work of wharf labourers. Nol Kaiser Bill and his clique who attend house parties are giving lis tho full benefit of their . "education." Never mind, Mr. Vavasour, the working man. is Tdcoiving his. education, and when lio has received it thero will be house parties for all. —I am, etc., A TRADESMAN. SHAKESPEARE TERCENTENARY CELEBRATION. WELLINGTON CLUB'S POSITION. Sir, —In your report of the first meeting of the Shakespeare Tercentenary Committee you say that, the Wellington : Sliakespearo Club had refused to join in the celebration in May next. This is not quite correct; and in a.letter to me Mr. H. E. Nicliolls; the president of the club; explains the position as follows: — • t * "I wish to express how sincerely I regret that the present feeble condition of tho Wellington Shakespeare .Club in the matter of male ineniborsliip precludes the club from taking the lead in a movement which under normal circumstances it would be the club's right and duty to initiate.. . This being so, the committee, recognising that the club is unable to take its. proper part, has decided to leave individual members full freedom of action, and will be well pleased if they are able to assist. I shall be glad if you will kindly publish this explanation, and so put the Wellington Shakespeare Club right in flic eyes of tho public. —I am, etc., J. CULFORD BELL.