A MAGNIFICENT GIFT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2791, 8 June 1916, Page 6

A MAGNIFICENT GIFT

TO WIDOWS AND ORPHANS OF

SAILORS

£1000 FROM MR P. A. M'HARDY

"I liavo received a lotter which I think I should read to tho House," said the Prime Minister in the House of Representatives yesterday. Ho read the let ter, which was ns follows:—

Beaulieu, Palmerston North, June 6, 1910. Dear Mr. Massey,—The enclosed cheque for .£IOOO I wish you to forward Homo to the authorities who distribute relief to the widows and orphans of the sailors of tlie British Navy. Thousands of theso brave men have gono to their long rest In the North Sea. "What have we done that these men lay down their lives f or us? On behalf of my wit'o and family, please forward at an early date, and oblige,—Yours truly, (Sgd.) P. A. M'HARDY. The letter was received 'with loud applause. Mr. Wilford: We should not want taxation of war profits if they were all like him. Mr. Massey: I think the letter speaks for itself,' and requires no remark from me. ' A\ r hile I wish to say we want to thank Mr. M'Hardy and his wife f or their magnificent generosity, I would like to day that if there are any others who would like to 'follow this good example I shall be very pleased to receive their cheques. The request has been made to me that the Government should ask Parliament to appropriate a sum of money for''this purpose, and I may say that this refers not only to the sailors of His Majesty's Navy Vno lost their lives a few days ago, but to all sailors who have lost their lives, and who may lose their lives in this war. The mptter has not yet received the consideration of Cabinet, but it will come bofore Cabinet in due course. And I can assure the House and the public that the Government will'do its duty in this respect as in other lespects.