PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16035, 29 September 1915, Page 3

PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

—Permit me to commend to the attention of your readers the excellent letter in to-day's Herald from Mr. Chas. _f Carter, of the Napier Street school. * It is undoubtedly only too true that contributions can only be obtained for patriotic purposes from a certain class, by offering value in return, in the shape "of entertainments or goods; given free bv those who are less paltry and mean.— Nevertheless, I sincerely trust that the civilian population; of this Dominion «j have not sunk so low that the necessary amounts cannot be collected without * resort to gambling in various '• ways, r The ' very democracy which we.- worship under the name of liberty constitutes: the most grave danger that the Empire has to face - for, under it, an that ; ? is contemptible' mean, and selfish is permitted? to grow and flourish, doing '■ nothing to help '*' to maintain the very freedom of which \w» boast; while the best are giving sons -and husbands and property; Too much liberty to those unworthy of it has resulted in absolute selfishness, and we need conscription and a period of absolutism to -bring us into line and drop pleasure-seeking under the guise of patriotism. Let us remember Port Arthur, where the Russians were said to have kept up their gaieties until the dav it felL -~-■--- September 24. "O. S. Swcrsbcr.

Sir, —From the tone of recent letters and speeches, it is recognised that -we are not, as a people, making any sacrifice worthy of the name. Our enemies long ago went on short rations, and found themselves all the better for it. . We go along with " full houses" in hotels and picture shows, every smoker at full blast, and only a very small minority realising that there is any war at aIL Yet on the other side of the world horrors unnameable are suffered that we may be free. This haphazard giving is well" in its way, but it does not ensure a steady income to the Patriotic Fund, and it penalises the willing donor and allows the pin-hearted, mean-souled money-grubber to go free. It is voluntary giving, and as such is on a par with voluntary enlistment. Unless the Government takes the matter up systematically the question will not be adequately dealt with, but, meantime I offer the suggestion that subscriptions be asked for on the tithe system. Many people set aside a tenth of their income for good works. Why not extend the scope of this idea ? Some might not be able to give more than 2J per cent., others 5 per cent., while the wealthier could give 20 per cent, without feeling it. If subscriptions were sought on this basis, and committees were organised to collect street by street, the response -would be immediate. Many people do not give because they cannot afford 10s or £1 fi at a time, yet they would readily give Is 6d per week, and these varying amounts up to £5 a week would mean a tremendous regular inflow. Enthusiasm would need to be kept up, it is true, but the spirit of self-sacrifice would soon catch hold of our people. The new hat, the extra drink and smoke, the picture show, the sweets, and the racing and over-indulgence of all kinds would be drawn on to provide the money. lam certain it would not come from necessaries, because the needs of life are very small. It is from luxuries and wastefulness that the revenue would come, and we would be a better people for the trifling self-denial. But for pity's sake let us give as individuals. Never mind what the other man does. Let each do his duty to his country and the brave boys who have shed their olood for it. We cannot all go to the front, but we can say that we will help "those • near and dear to the gallant lads whose . bodies are our shield from harm. There need be no lack of book-keepers y-ho will : ■■■* give their services free to organise the col- m lections and arrange for their payment -/■: into the central fund. To Mr. Elliot and : his colleagues I commend the 'suggestion. - ' - ■