CORRESPONDENCE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16211, 14 May 1918, Page 7

CORRESPONDENCE.

NEW ZEALAND SOLDIERS AND ENGLISH GIRLS. to the editor or "the press "

Sir, —I do not agreo with Mr Holland's remarks concerning factory girls, for I know that were there any ammunition factories in New Zealand, hundreds of New Zealand gitls would be only too pleased to work in them to help win the war. Probably Mr Holland's remarks have been misunderstood, but it .seems very unfair that wo have sent our boys to fight for England only to marry English girls. I think it is not generally known that about five hundred French and English wives of New Zealand soldiers are to arrive here shortly, and when these English wives are established here thov will try to ride the high horse over us Now Zealand girls because we are old maidß. And then, again, why should the Now Zealand Government support English and 1' rench girls who have schemed to marry our boys? Again I say it is unfair, as the Imperial Government allows no concessions to New Zealand girls for a trip to England and Franco to find husbands. In any case we back our New Zealand boys against foreigners.— lours, etc.,

N Z I suppose those women will in time help to vote for our members of Parliament, and what right have they, to tnko a liand in New Zealand politics? PICTURE SHOWS. TO TUT! EDITOK OF "THE PRESS." Sir, Apropos of the picture shows, has it ever occurred to you what blithering rubbish is presented to the public »or their amusement? It would appear that trio management of the various concerns, having weighed matters very have com© to the conclusion that the Luffalo Bill series not beinc sumciontly bnunful, are making the mistake of buying even sillier films, such as the mysterious societies of the "Black Hand variety and others equally banal. Surely there are nicer and more beautiful plays screened than the revolver and bludgeon type. And, then, the music! Can't -we have a band which plays decent civilised stuff instead of the "merry-go-round" style? A. show 1 visited to-day put me in mind and remembrance of a penny gaff of thirfr years ago in Old England. Sir, have you ever been to a penny gaff?— Yours, etc., PRO BONO MENTIS. May 13th. TERRITORIAL OFFICERS. TO THE KDITOK OF "TDJi PRESS."

Sir, —What is this one is continually rending in the papers about Territorial officers? I was always under the impression that up to the present they have dono their part in the war, but the statements now being made about them give me to understand quite otherwise. Is impossible that forty or more of theso men can be causing the Defence Department so much trouble without havmg a good reason for doing so? They are being publicly insulted and disgraced without being given a chance to defend themselves. I understand it is a breach of military law to write to the papers, but they sSould demand a court of enquiry, bo that the true facts could be made knoton. Perhaps this is only another case of. bungling on the part of the Defence Department, and, at the expense of the men concerned it would rather lot the matter drop.—-Yours, etc. JUSTICE.

DEWEY AND THE GERMANS AT MANILA. TO THE EDITOR OF "THE PBESS." Sir, —I think that the Rev. E. Eliot Chambers is in error when he refers to Sir Edward Chichester and Admiral Dewey at Manila. Sir Edward was hot on the Bonaventure, which waa not at Manila, but, as Dewey says, was on the Immortalite. He certainly was not responsible for tho flagship filing on a German warship, because the O'ympia did not do it. On the night of May 12th a German launch approached the Olympia, who fired, thinking it v.T.a a Spanish craft. Later, after the Germans had ignored the blockade, and generally insulted Dewey, he told them t-hoy would havo to behave, and Sir Edward Chichester Supported Dewey, snying that his instructions were to obey much stricter rules than Dewey imposed. A few days later the Cormoran entered the harbour and refused to stop when ordered by thp gunboat McCullougb, which immediately fired a shot acrosB i the German's bows. No apology was offered, but Dewey let Diodriche, the Gorman admiral/know that he was quite prepared to fight, and tfie action of Sir Edward Chichester in shifting anchorage so as to be between the two, showed the Germa-n that there might be real trouble. Britain at that time was deeply committed to benevolent neutrality. But your correspondent should read some of the war correspondents and Dewey's autobiography to correct his facts. I think Dewey goes into the matter rather fully, but I am not sure. —Yours, etc. FACTS, NOT FANCY.

WAR FUNDS.

TO THE EDITOR OF "iHB I'BESS."

Sir, —It is time some protest was made against the present method of launching war fund appeals. It may be urged that the appeals are UTgent, but so have past appeals in many cases been urgent, and yet a brea thing-space _at least was allowed, and the Dominion has not in the past given illiberally. _ Now, not only is no interregnum given, but appeal on appeal is made at one and tho same time.

Within a month or so we have had the Red Cross, Y.M.C.A., Blanket, Salvation Army, War Prisoners', and Sailors' runds. and at least three are going at present, with the probable result that thc-v will militato against one another, and the sums aimed at will not be attained. It seems neither fair to tho several funds nor to the public. Enthusiasm for these most necessary and deserving objects should be tempered with a little discretion.—Yours otc . A NOT UNWILLING HORSE.

Further consideration of mattere connected with the white pine industry was given by the National Efficiency Board at :ts meeting hi Wellington last week. Mr .J. A. Frostick, Canterburv Commissioner on tho Board, states that lie expects that the Board's views on the position of the industry will be placed before the Government shortly. At the same meeting it was arranged to publish a pamphlet supplying practically all the information a soldier wishes to obtain in New Zealand. The pamphlet is now being printed, and a copy is to be given free to every reservist.