PUKEKOHE'S RED CROSS FUND

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 408, 10 September 1918, Page 1

PUKEKOHE'S RED CROSS FUND

(To the Editor)

Sir,—ln regard to Pukekohe's "Great Effort" I wiah to add a few pertinent remarks to those made by " Observer " in your last issue. By comparison with similar sized towns, of similar capital value, Pukekohe was let down lightly in being allocated £IOOO only. Little more than 10s per head population and this amount [am quite sure would have been oversubsciberd, readily and cheerfully, if only a right lead had been given. An old adage tells us that we can't get blood from a stone and reapplied to the present subject the deduction is that money can only be obtained from those who have money. Common-sense, isn't it ? But what do we find. Instead of putting some "ginger" into the work and arousing the people to a just appreciation of their obligations, all sorts of nondescript, " schlinter " methods are resorted to, which only give" tight wad" shirkers, loopholes to dodge their legitimate obligations. There is only one reasonable and equitable businesslike method of raising money and that is by a direct levy proportionate to the wealth or income of the individual. The high price of benzine, the Income Tax, and the fact of money invested in State secured War Loans at a remunerative interest and free of Income Tax constitute no excuse for dishonouring the verbal promissory note for £IOOO taken up by Pukekohe. Many of the people of Pukekohe are workers (among whom I include all classes whose gross incomes are £4 per week or less). By reason of the higher cost of living and other contingencies brought about by the war they are making sacrifices out of all proportion in comparison with those who are more fortunately possessed of this world's goods. And to their credit, be it said, the workers have contributed liberally and cheerfully. The result of Pukekohe's " Great Effort" may well occasion surprise. From what experience I have had I gained the firm impression that Pukekohe was rampantly patriotic in the true sense of the word—that any person rejoicing in a name other than Brown, Smith or Bobinson or some other equally plebian nomenclature should be hung, drawn and quartered and not allowed to breathe God's pure air in the sphere hallowed t>y the gracious presence of the ultra-patriotic of unsullied, unimpeachable Anglo-Saxon lineage. However, money is the stuff that distinguishes the pratical patriot from the "poobah" variety who gallery their particular brand of pseudo-patriotism on every possible occasion and at the same time keep a strangle hold on the Almighty Dollar.—l am etc, O. HEERDEGEN. Pukekohe, 7th Sept. 1018.

(To the Editor.) Sir—l am not anxious to enter into correspondence columns as a rule, but I think "Observer's" letter re Pukekohe's subscription to the Red Cross should not pass without some comment. "Observer" is evidently not aware that it was not the whole district of Pukekohe that subscribed the £9OO, but the Borough of Pukekohe that had done so, and as the campaign does not close until October 18th there is still ample time in which to raise the sum aimed at. Further than this, "Observer" should remember when quoting the sum raised in Papakura's (small) township that Papakura's campaign commenced some weeks before that at Pukekohe and also that Papakura did not confine their efforts to the township alone or even their district, but encroached widely on the Drury and Mauku or Karaka Hidings of the Franklin County Council. Ido not hold a brief for Pukekohe residents and I reside nearer Papakura than Pukekohe, but "fair play is bonny play " and I sign myself « ANOTHER OBSERVER."