THE CARNIVAL.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 233, 24 June 1915, Page 4

THE CARNIVAL.

(To the Editor). Sir, —I have read the letters in your columns on the above subject and have also noted what is being done in other centres in order to provide the sinews of war.” I have noticed that some wealthy men, like Sir Walter Buchanan, Mr. Duncan, of Otairi, Mr. Hope Gibbons, and others, have given freely of thenthousands, whilst others, reputed to be equipped opulent, have given little or nothing. I have also noted that “Sales of Flags” in some comparatively newly settled districts have realised considerable sums of money whilst in older townships the same devices brought scarcely anything. Now, Sir, it seems to me that the one word which describes all this is “INEPTITUDE.” I am loath, very loath, to bring into this discussion the RED RAG of partypolitics but it does seem to me that the one. need of this Dominion at the present juncture is “ A Man; A superman!” “Oh, for a Man,” should be the cry of every one in this Dominion at the present moment, to give ns a lead. The party-political machine is so ticklishly balanced at the present time that the Prime Minister seems afrjrid to move for fear of upsetting its equilibrium, Can we not make him rise to the ocasicon? Can we not convince him that the people of this Dominion are not interested in party politics at the present time.? We are face to face with the German menace; the country wants money and men; it is his business to ascertain and tell ns how much money and how many men. Here are our properties and our incomes; it is the Prime Minister’s business and his bounden duty to take whatever is required,, on a just and equitable basis of taxation, as long ,a? the war lasts, and to see that the same is rightly and duly administered. And as for the men, those at the front have done honour to their race. The whole British Empire is proud of them. We have others like them in training, and more to follow, but not a man nor a shilling to waste. Every man sent must be a soldier, and every pound spent should make for efficiency. The systems of collection in vogue are no doubt well-meant; but they are insufficient; they do not reach all, and the funds pass from us and we hear no more of them. That is wffiy I say they should be raised by taxation and every pound accounted for. I would suggest that Instead of this proposed Carnival, we hold a monster public meeting at Taihape, to pass re-, solutions calling upon the Prime Minister to levy a war tax on a just and equitable basis, so that every adult of this Domnion shall be called upon to bear their fair share of the burden of this war; and that a monster petition to Parliament be- sent from this district to the same effect; —I am, etc., JAMES SMITH. Hopwood, Papakai, Road, Taihape.