CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12634, 23 October 1905, Page 7

CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL.

To the Editor,

Sir,—ln reading over the published list of subscribers to the Wanganui Christmas Carnival. I notice that they are tho same old victims—the poor business people, who have to shell out for everything going. But, of course, in this case I do not think that they should begrudge a few pounds, as it is to their own interests to keep the car--nival going. But at the same time, I think it a shame that the whole burdan should fall on the business people, when there are hundreds of others who will reap as much benefit from a thin£ of this kind as the business people, and v-ho can well afford to give something and who never part a cent, to anything to advertise their own interests. Whai about all our wealthy citizens who arft drawing by fat rents from the strug-1 gling business people? Why should they not be asked to subscribe something? Are they not as much interested as most business people? As faA as myself is concerned, I will not reap any benefit from the carnival through business, but indirectly I will, as I own property in Wanganui. and what interests the town will interest me. Therefore I- am quite willing to pay my little towards the carnival. I also note £50 down from the publicans, and aa there are 14 pubs around Wanganui who will.benefit by this carnival, that h a little over £3 IDs. per pub. Ah there are a good many business people who hare given five guineas, who will reap very little benefit from the carnival. I think it shows very great discouragement on tho publicans' part noi> to give a little more, especially as they ore the ones who w 11 reap the biggest benefit from such. They got an hour's extension last time, which I also consider was necessary under the circumstances; but I must say they do not deserve it; and, again, what about th£ landlords who are drawing their big lut rents-from the. pubs? I suppose, roughly speaking, they are drawing about "£3OO per week of Wanganui spare cash, and do you ever see them giving anything in subscriptions of any kind? Yet they expect us to vote against no-license. I am for prohibition this time straight out. I have neve*' voted for prohibition before, but I have come to the conclusion that it would be better to give our cash into more liberal hands. Of course there is no law to compel anybody to give if they do not wish to do so. I have had a little of the camvassing business myself, and I can sympathise with those who have to carry out those duties.— I am, etc., ONE GUINEA.