The Farmers and the Navy.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 191, 14 July 1916, Page 2

The Farmers and the Navy.

TO THE EDITOR."!

Sir,—Referring to Mr Wily's letter in your issue of the 7th fust., he states that farmers are going to escape paying their share of the war taxation and consequently they would bear no part of a Government contribution to the Navy. I hardly think he will get many farmers to agree that under the Government proposals they are going to escape, but if they are, then the remedy is in an adjustment of-taxation. It is not going to be put right by such an unfair and haphazard method as a voluntary contribution. As to tli9 Belgians and Servians, no one gainsays the seuico they have tendered'to the allied cause, but they have no Governments of their own to look after them. Millions of Belgians have been kept alive by voluntary contributions- administered by voluntary organisations, and I am afraid many thousands of Servians have died for lack of such help. Those whom the Navy League Fund is designed to help are already provided for by the British Government, and instead of raising funds to bo used in uncertain ways by nobody knows who, it should bo our duty to seo that through our Government wo all pay our share of what is required and make the a'lowances adequate if that has not already been done.—l am, etc., A. A. KOSS, Provincial President N.Z F.U.