BONUSES IN -WAR-TIME

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3113, 18 June 1917, Page 6

BONUSES IN -WAR-TIME

Sir,—The resolution of protest passed by the Canterbury Education Board against the payment, this year, of a war bonus to Civil Servants and public school teachers was most opportune, and has the approval and support of every good citizen and genuine patriot in the Dominion. During the unparalleled crisis through which our Empire is passing, every man that enjoys the privileges of the British Constitution should be compelled, if necessary, to shoulder his due share of the responsibility for the successful conduct of the war, and to bear his just proportion of tho burden, imposed ' thereby. This would give him a direct interest iu its final issue, and cause him to view matters .from a national standpoint. Times are hard, but stilt harder times are in prospect. lioney is scarce, and therefore dimcult to procure, even by a Government such as ours, without tho payment of an exceptionally high rate of interest, and all the money procurable will he urgently ■needed to finance the war, without seal-, tering any of it broadcast for political, vote-catching purposes, 'i'hc bonus granted last year was paid out of borrowed money, that proposed to be distributed this year must be paid out of borrowed money also. To give away, in this manner, a sum bordering on half a million, and to force it practically upon many who, realising the abnormal conditions prevailing throughout the British Dominions, do not desire it, is to commit a 'crime, not only against the soldiers in the trenches, but also against humanity. If tho Government nas a plethora of money, why does it not divert it into the necessary channels, and use it to provide for the widows and orphans of our dead heroes, and for the maimed and wounded soldiers and their dependants?. But would Huch disinterested patriotic action suit the vote-catching politician ! ' Unfortunately shirkers have votes, and so have pro-Germans, and. it is an indisputable fact that notorious shirkers and pro-Germans received fat bonuses last year. Should the National Government attempt to repeat the offence of last year it behoves all who have relatives in the trenches or iu camp to adopt such measures as will brin" down, on its members the punishment they so thoroughly deserve. —I am, etc., A. A. ADAHS.