A NATIONAL OBLIGATION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 41, 18 June 1915, Page 3

A NATIONAL OBLIGATION.

A Masterton settler in conversation with an "Age" representative made an important patriotic, and impressive statement. He said lie had just been on a visit to his banker. He had ascertained that 208 bales of wool he had sold in England this year had realised £Q437, ompared with £3430 obtained for 203 bales sold in England last year. In other words he had received about £2OOO more in actual profit than he received last year. "1 feel," said the settler, "that this munoy does not belong to me. i feel tliAt it has come to me through those brave fellows who are fighting in Europe and the Dardanelles to protect my home my property, and my liberty. I shall be doing nothing to show my gratitude to those gallant men, who are giving their lives that my home may be secure until 1 have contributed every penny of the £2OOO to various funds, and shall be glad, to pay my share from my ordinary revenue, both in contributions anil taxation." The settler said ho was aware that many settlers sold their wool locally and had not made profits in proportion to his own. Still, most of them had done a good deal'better than last year and all in consequence of the war. He eonsidereded that sheepfarmers dairymen, and merchants should not only contribute to the war funds the full amount of this year's extra profit but they should also give from their ordinary revenue, so that with a clear- conscience they could say that they had made some sacrifice toAvards maihtainiang the integrity of the Km pi re. He felt that, when'settlers thought seriously of the position there would be few who would not do as lie had done. It may not be necessary to contribute the whole of the war' profit at once but it should be given freely, as it was required in order that tlie ordinary profits may be reached and a real sacrifice made.