Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, FEB. 1, 1900. Ten Shillings a Week.

Manawatu Herald, 1 February 1900, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, FEB. 1, 1900. Ten Shillings a Week.

The Imperial Government has been able to see its way to grant the widows of the soldiers who have died in South Africa a pension of ten shillings a week! This is not what they would have received had not the patriotic fund been so large. Think of this and let there be little doubt as to what fund the donations of the colony shall go to. What comparison can possibly be made to the married Tommy Atkins and the colonial volunteer. In the first place the colonial contingent are all supposed to be single men, all of them in a far better position financially than the English soldier, and many of them having independent means, or pleasing prospects at a future day. The colonials have taken to fighting for an amusement in contradistinction to Tommy Atkins who had to take to it for a living. Our Contingent when they return and if they return, though a number have openly stated their intention of remaining in South Africa, will be well-cared for, and if necessary supported, as the public have liberally responded to the appeal for funds, and the Government will have many occupations a member who is not over strong, could occupy. To suggest that because the widows of our soldiers will receive ten shillings a week as a reason why colonists should cease to make their case easier sounds the acme of selfishness, for what is ten shillings a week to a widow with a young family? Out here we grant six shillings and elevenpence a week to each adult who has lived to a certain age without considering whether he or she has done the State any better service than by living until now. Thus two, an old man and his wife, with no one dependent on them draw £SQ a year, and yet our purse strings are to be tightened because poor Tommy Atkins widow is getting £26 a year to keep herself and family. We do not grudge the pension to our aged folk and we should be the last people to cease trying to improve the lot of those cast in misfortune owing to their breadwinners having died in the defence of the Empire. We hope the public will earnestly compare the lots of both sides who are fighting for a common cause and then we feel sure they will be emphatic in the greater portion of their donations being sent to relieve the case of those in most need. We notice the Premier now desires to transfer a portion of the sums subscribed to relieve distress towards paying part of the cost of the third contingent, suggesting that the British Government would rather have men than money. We. are finding the men as much for our own safety as to help the Motherland, but we are subscribing our shillings with the desire to alleviate the horrors of war and to ease and comfort the afflicted as far as we can, and the idea is monstrous to propose that funds raised for this purpose should be so contradictorily transferred. War is necessary, men must fight and women must weep, and it is but fair that all should help — but keep the funds apart— let a sum be given to fit out our troops, but keep the money for the women and children inviolate. All that can be subscribed will be wanted, and though England may be wealthy we are able to guage the value of her generosity to her troops when we learn how surprised they are at being able to donate the paltry sum of ten shillings a week to the widows and orphans of her soldiers who have fallen in defence of the Empire.