EIRE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 118, 21 May 1945, Page 4

EIRE

May I be allowed to point out. to your irate correspondent, Hugh McHaigh, that Mr. Churchill's "rhetorical petulance" included a direct reference to his own deep gratitude and respect for those thousands of Irish who shouldered their responsibilities like men in this war against Hitlerism? Since Mr. McHaigh can evidently write, it sterns likely that he is able to read, which makes it a little difficult to understand how he came to overlook that portion of the Prime Minister's speech. Or was it, perhaps, just a case of there being none so . blind as those who will not see? As for any sneers which Mr. Churchill may have directed at de Valera, they were certainly not unwarranted. Surely no one would expect him to eulogise a man who had recently expressed his grief at the passing Of a pervert who was responsible for such places as Dachau and Belsen? In any case, since all decent freedom-loving people must feel deeply indebted to "Winnie" for his inspired leadership through the dark days since 1940, this frenzied attack upon him; would appear to be in rather poor taste. It seems highly unlikely that Mr. Churchill is feeling ashamed of himself, as Mr. de Valera's champion so brightly suggests. He has no need to feel ashamed of anything, since he is not only loyal and courageous, but also an Englishman. JOAN HEWETT.