SURPLUS WOOL PROFITS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17947, 14 November 1918, Page 6

SURPLUS WOOL PROFITS.

TO 188 EDITOR. g; r A few weeks ago a letter apl nearo'd in print in which tho writer i stated he would have to forgo the ; pleasure of giving his share of surplus wool profit-; r,o the widows and orphans of tho men in the Navy and mercantile marine who have lost their lives in the service of the Empire. I sincerely hope that this statement does not represent toe feelings arid views of Canterbury wool owners or any part of New Zealand. 1 feel sure it does not. Before any of tins money from wool is spent,, all those who have givon their share will be given an opportunity to decide how and in what proportion the amount shall be spent on dependents in the British Jsics and in New Zealand. A Scotchman in this county struck the right note, when he said, "I don't know how much I am giving, but the bigger it is the better I shall be pleased." , ..... I have heard some say that if this wool profit hod been divided between the British and New Zealand Governments to reduce the cost of the war, well and. good, but now individuals were, to have it they wished to reserve the right.to give or not give. Surely in plain English this means that conscription is on n higher piano than voluntary giving. I defy'anyone to find a more worthy object, to give to, than to the dependents of the men who have faced such perils and hardships. This extra profit on wool is a windfall, not one in n hundred originally expected to get it. and, moreover, the bulk of this extra rise is caused by holding up huge quantities, both here and in Australia, and so causing or accentuating the shortage all the world over. Cash having been paid for wool to'all growers is a great boon, and tho increased price of all surplus stock has added very largely to profits from runs and farms.

In no single instance hove men in the Navy or mercantile marine struck for higher pay or refused to face almost certain death during this lono; war. in which for the first time submarines have killed thousands. What a magnificent record to the valour of the big-hearted men " who go down to the sea in ship?." Let us all bo generous and. freely share in the cost of providing for tb'» comfort and welfare of their dependents. Whether one's name annenrs in print ov otherwise matters little. Surely the good old precept and principle that has'come (\orrii the ages,' '' Gifts quickIv and quietly given are twice (riven." h more than ever true in this most worthy onu'se.' "Lot; this wool money be a pence offering, for however largo the total amount may bo it can in no wav compare to the lives so fl'pelv Elver. Poping, Sir,' von can ' kindly ■ find space for this.—-I am, etc. JOHN GRIGG. Longbeach, November 11.