PATRIOTIC FUND CONTRIBUTIONS

Southland Times, Issue 24165, 29 June 1940, Page 7

PATRIOTIC FUND CONTRIBUTIONS

To The Editor

Sir,—l see by your large heading that you are ever willing to print anythin ’ that looks disloyalty on the part of the workers, but I think it would have been more to the credit of the councillor and yourself if you had got the facts before rushing into print. lam one of the supposed shirkers. I did not sign the list because -I was giving so much out of my wages before the list came round. I am quite prepared to put my receipts on the table if the councillor will do likewise.— Yours, etc., W. JOHNSTONE. June 27, 1940.

To The Editor Sir, —I would like to pen a few remarks in support of the complaint made by workers against taking the penny in the £1 contribution off their wages. Most of these men have families or they would not be employed under the No. 13 Scheme. On the wage of £4/7/10 less taxes it is almost impossible these days, what with rising costs, to keep a family of five or six children. The working man with a family is the one who feels the pinch, as anyone who has to buy children’s boots and clothing will tell you. The man with a family growing is, doing his bit for his country. Let those with big salaries and those who refuse to rear more than one or two of a family do more of the contributing. It would be most interesting to know what councillors and those in better positions are actually giving.—Yours, etc.. FAMILY MAN. June 27, 1940.

To The Editor Sir,—l notice a letter printed in your paper on June 26 from “Fair Play,” one of the No. 13 Scheme men of the South Invercargill Borough, who says he declined to pay the penny in the £l. This man drew a red herring across the track when he said he can hardly set foot on Dee street without spending three or four shillings on something for patriotic purposes. We know how much this sort of person gives to collectors—a blank refusal. Not even will they give a penny in the £1 to help preserve freedom. We have them on other local bodies too, living under the flag of justice and freedom, enjoying our wages and conditions. I work with some of these fellows every day and I think the South Invercargill Borough is to be commended on the stand it has taken. It is to be hoped that other local bodies will follow its example.—Yours, etc., EMPLOYEE. June 26,1940.