THE WAR EFFORT

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23055, 25 June 1940, Page 14

THE WAR EFFORT

TO THE EDITOS OF THE PRESS. Sir,—Your photograph published on Saturday, June 22, of the. sand dunes of Dunkirk with the troops standing in the water, carried many a digger’s thoughts back 22 years, as it was at such a place and surroundings that the 2nd Brigade of New Zealand Artillery were camped and their guns were in action at Dixmude. We have since followed the German advance through all of the places so impressed on our memories, with a touch of sadness. We, who have been through the mill, can imagine the thoughts of those men standing there without their equipment, and I feel_ that we could dp more for those who are bearing the brunt of invasion. For one thing, I think we could safely take 15,000 to 20,000 children in New Zealand. The majority of returned soldiers whose families are growing up, and those who have sons away this time would surely give them a really good time. We, who have many a time picked pieces of-our comrades up and put them in a blanket to bury did so with due respect, but when it came to seeing those children being killed and maimed, it did more than put a lump in our throats. I am sure it would keep the morale of the British people up if they knew their children were out of harm’s way. I thing it would be a fine gesture if the workers of New Zealand and the Government diverted the huge sum of money collected for the Labour paper to sending a shipload of meat and butter gratis to England. The money cannot be used for the purpose it was collected owing to the machinery and paper not being obtainable. The freezers have never been so full of the goods of the land, and I am sure it would: be appreciated by England. . I feel sure, that England will pull through, with her wonderful Navy and Air Force and Army if we do our utmost to lighten her worries. We should do our best, and not be caught with Filth Column speeches and talk, in trying to tell us .to look to Russia or America for protection in the near future. I, for one, as a born New Zealander, cannot see what we have got to gain under the- hammer and sickle or Stars and Stripes that we do not get under the Red, White, and Blue Flag. So up New Zealand, and do our best to see that right prevails. —Yours, etc., NEW ZEALANDER. June 24. 1940.