THAT 15 PER CENT

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 66, Issue 5600, 2 April 1943, Page 3

THAT 15 PER CENT

Sir, —Your correspondent “Lest They Forget” still labours under the mistaken impression that we who “squeal” do so through greed and selfishness, that we are too greedy and selfish to remember the Japanese menace. Personally, I could fill columns of the Courier with examples of Japanese ruthlessness and atrocities, but neither that nor the retention of the 15 per cent will win the war. “Lest They Forget” fought, not only for “God, King and Country,” for his relatives and friends, but also for those great traditions man has fought and struggled for through the ages. Freedom can be lost as easily on the home front as on the battlefield. So can justice, honesty and “fair play.” We appear to have lost our sense of “fair play” when one or two sections of the community are kept on a fixed income while the others are allowed to soar. Let “Lest They Forget” consider that. That 15 per cent was given to the woolgrower for his immediate use (and he needs it now), but the Government grabs it. Is that justice ? No, not until I see the Government refuse the next Arbitration Court rise will I believe they are honest in their attempt to fix prices. Then, and only then,,l will cease to “squeal.”—l am, etc., SOLDIER’S BROTHER. P.S.—“Lest They Forget” called me an “honest man.” This is the first time for years anyone has shown such decernment. May I congratulate him ?—S.B.