NEW ZEALAND AND THE WAR.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10538, 27 December 1899, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND AND THE WAR.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sir, —The example set by those of our citizens who have given so generously to the Patriotic Fund will no doubt be followed by many others, and all -honour to those who have led the way, but "while I do not wish to say a. word which may check the intentions of those who intend to subscribe, I think it only right \o point out where the ; system ot voluntary subscription has its faults. Look down any list you like of per- j sons Wiho have during the last ten years responded to appeals to their charitable instincts, and you will find the same names. There are some persons so generously constituted that they are always ready to assist in any case where poney is wanted, but on the other hand there are miserly beings who never give, who never wilt, men who are so , built that they -would rather lose their eye teeth than part with a pound to save their own mother from starvation. There are plenty of these in Christchurch, their names I could give you if necessary. Some of them are comparatively speaking rolling in wealth, and I think that these ought to bear their fair share. It is of no use appealing to them in any form, their miserly parsimony is stronger than any feeling of shame. If they can get other people to give, and remain in obscurity themselves, they are quite content. Now, Sir, I think that these undesirable persona should be compelled to pay their share, and a special foofe of income tax could be designed tor theSPoenefit. I dare say that Parliament could, in imposing any sjusii tax, exempt persons who have' vb'luntaif ily subscribed an amount equal to the impost created. In this way the Wttjq, Jje got at and made to pay their fair shate. , " Another matter, Sir, I should like to mention is that England wants men, not money. She will look aiter her sick and wounded as she did at and after the Crimean war. If, therefore, we sent a thousand men, we should do her more good than if we contributed fifty thousand poundsj our doing so would give her materiaE assistance at the present time, and other nations would see that tfie colonies - were a source of military strength to the Empire. If the Government considered the cost too much for the Executive to provide, the funds .could, and would, be found by the people of the colony privately. Before I finish, Sir, I have another little matter that I wish to mention. What has become of ail your ChrCetchurch volunteer officers? Wβ hear that four of them have offered their services in South Africa, and their names should be recorded in gold. But -what about the others? In times of danger the tradition of the British forces sends officers to the front. lem quite sure that our local majors, captains, lieutenants, come of the same "race as those who are with th 4 reguEar troops to-day. But apparently they have not yet understood the necessity which haa arisen, or "we should have om of them eagerly pressing upon the Government. In fight they have displayed most solium qualities. The country will-look on shoM no desire t*> take part i|j, <txsw}.test when something (Reside blarik' ppwdpfeis used.— Yours, &c.f ■-■- ■■>\- : \£s&. :■"■■■