ADMINISTRATION OF WAR FUNDS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 276, 7 November 1916, Page 3

ADMINISTRATION OF WAR FUNDS.

[to the editor.] Sir.—Even with the danger before me of earning your disapproval or anger for suggesting the censoring of subjects discussed in your columns. I feel compelled to protest against the methods of some of yo'V anonymous correspondents in criticising the administration of our Hawke's Bay War Funds. Healthy and broad-minded criticism on all public matters and especially those dealing with the Empire’s crisis, arc commendable and appreciated, but the Britisher with the true ring of a nation’s honour within him, views with distaste and disgust those who hurl charges and misrepresentation —is it too strong to say lies? —at a body of respected citizens who give their time and ability generously to the present and future needs of our soldiers and their dependents, over a nom de plume. Why are men such cowards ! Why do they not realise that the very fact of meanly sheltering behind the hedge of the anonymous minimises the weight of their utterances and discredits their bona tides. My mission in writing is nor to accept a brief for the War Funds Committee, for through one of their members. Mr .T. S. McLeod, their position and policy have been fairly, succinctly and logically laid before the public, but what I am out to combat is the' growing evil of the literary sniper. Some years ago £vou. Sir. prior-to a general election notified your readers that all letters criticising candidates on their political views appearing in the "Triguns” must be over the name of the writer. Your action received the plaudits of every honourable man and woman. May I respectfully suggest that matters appertaining directly or indirectly to the present tragedy of Emnire are of greater moment than the aspirations of an j embryo stateman. and that all communications in future appearing in your paper dealing even with a reflection on the war should bear the writer’s name.—l am. etc., A. L. D. FRASEIL Hastings. Nov. 6, 1916. iWc certainly think that it would be more to the good of all concerned if all letters appeared over the names of the writers, yet we cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that instances do occur when a man with a. grievance, real or imaginary, would be debarred from ventilating it in the press in view of the risk he would run —or. rather, he would feel he was running—of being victimis' d, directly or indirectly, by those , whose methods or actions he criticises. Take, for instance, the criti- ! cisms now being directed, without cause, we are certain, against the association administrating the H.B. Mar Funds. A returned soldier may feel that he has not been fairly treated and the very fact that he . writes at all shows that he has none too much confidence in the association, and may fancy that if that body ' would treat him unfairly in the way he thinks they are treating him by not giving him what he is entitled to, it would also not hesitate in making certain that he has less consideration when his next request is laid on the table. We are sure that there is no justification for such a lack of confidence on the*part of any returned soldier towards the asso- ; ciation. but at the same time we do not think it advisable to close our correspondence columns to men who feel it is not safe, for the reason wc have given, to allow their names to be published. Our object in publishing the' correspondence is to assist in removing misunderstandings; the association, the subscribers, and I the public have the same object in I view, and we do not think this can be attained if a rigid rule is fixed that all writers who wish to ventilate their troubles must sign their names. We would warn them, however. of the folly of carelessly 7 rushing into print before they are sure they have a sound ease, because the dissatisfaction they express is likely to create distrust and a falling off of subscriptions to the fund. It is our intention when time permits to explain as fully as possible the policy of the Hawke’s Bay War Fund Association, and to show that its members have decided upon the right and proper wav of administering the money of which they are the trustees. Reverting to the matter of anonymous correspondence, the letter which was published in the “’.Tribune” last Saturday over the signature “J.N.” was written by Mr H. lan Simson. and his name should have appeared. Mr. Simson wrote the letter hurriedly and scrawled H.I.S. at the foot expecting us to print his name. Unfortunately this was not noticed, and the initials were read as “J.N.” and in the hurry of publishing passed without correction. —Ed. H.B.T. J-