PATRIOTIC FUND CONTRIBUTION

Southland Times, Issue 24163, 27 June 1940, Page 12

PATRIOTIC FUND CONTRIBUTION

To The Editor

Sir, —The report of the South Invercargill Borough Council’s proposed action against some of the men not contributing I' 1 , in the £1 to the .Patriotic Fund calls for some comment. In the first place, the type used in the heading was heavy enough to denote a national disaster, but that is the usual way you head anything that seems to indicate disloyalty by the workers. Second, the instruction to be given to the foreman is a threat of victimization, as the donations are supposed to be quite voluntary. I know one of these mep who did

not agree to give in this way but who has given all he can afford. No doubt some of the others have given also. I think it would have been wiser for the councillor who raised the question to have made sure that these men were not helping. lam willing to give a week’s pay to the fund if I cannot name the councillor if he will do the same if 1 do name him. Finally I should like to point out that after the wage tax is deducted these men receive £4/7/10. — Yours, etc., J. EDWARDS. June 25, 1940.

[Our correspondent’s charge that our headings discriminate against the workers will not bear the test of an examination of our files. The publication of this particular report drew attention to both sides of the case, not merely to one side—Editor, The Southland Times.]