THE WAR LOAN

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3178, 31 August 1917, Page 6

THE WAR LOAN

Sir,—Sir Joseph Ward is making a very earnest appeal to the people to subscribe according to their means to the needed War Loan, and every one who lias his country's good at heart will give him credit for doing bo. But, err, there is tho other side of the question, and it would be well if Sir Joseph would put his own political house in order first, and then come to his front door and cry: "See what we have done; now you must do your part." I refer first to the great advance in the "cost of living"—food, clothing, house rent, oto. The people are getting nervy in this direction and'may prefer to hold their little bit of spare cash in their pockets "on demand." Could not Sir Joseph use his power to break' down these great combines in our midst that are keeping up the prices, and give the peoplo cneapcr food? Why not? Then again, look at the awful waste in the drink traffic, both in lives and money. It is simply appalling. I need not go into figures;_ they are being continually pointed out in The Dominion. Why does not Sir Joseph sweep this wasto away once and for all. I notice he said if he did so there would be a big shrinkage in his revenue. He need not rear. The revenue would double itself in other directions. Besides, the people would a thousand times rather bear a sober burden than a drink burden. Make a start at your end, Sir Joseph, and the people will respond in a way you least expect.—l am, etc., WIN THE WAR.