PATRIOTISM

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 81, 29 December 1928, Page 8

PATRIOTISM

Sir, —May I suggest a New Year resolution for every true Britisher? 1 am sure that New Zealanders are neglecting their duty to the demobilised soldiers of the Empire. Those fine, unselfish meu went cheerfully out and suffered most frightful hardships—it is impossible for us who reverence the memory of those men to imagine onequarter of the hardships that were patiently endured in those bloody trenches. .. , The magnificent deeds ot these men are by no means being forgotten, but we are forgetting our duty to the Empire and also to the thousands of returned soldiers who are struggling for a living ill an overcrowded and impoverished England. We are not carrying on their work. New Zealanders, I appeal to you ! Surely if it is the duty of the soldiers to lay dowu their lives and suffer so terribly, the very least we can do is to carry on the work of patriotism and not fly about in cheap foreign cars and watch the enemy countries and foreign countries getting fqt on our trade when England so badly needs it. We ate funny creatures! We are prepared to lay down our lives for the defence of our great Empire in time of war, and yet in peace-time we do not support our fellows —we practically turn our backs on our friends and comrades. Patriotism in peace-time is even more/important if we want the British race to remain at the top of the tree. Be unselfish and buy British goods that is the remedy. Now I am a New Zealand farmer and I have been to England very recently and I have seen what a magnificent country it is and what really splendid peonle the English nrc. T have also seen the noverty—returned soldiers, once fine fellows. perhaps, officers in France, begging in the streets, playing a music box to : amuse queues of gallery theatregoers sweeping up. the streets, committing suicide in sheer'desperation—and whet aye we doing in the meantime? Callously snending.our thousands in America and Germany when they are so hndlv needed +o make- E n vlimd capable of snnnortine her.-, nopulntion. i . . When shopping insist and insist, on Rritish-fnnde Choris—and they can make them -better than other country—otherwise ypji are little better than a conscientious objector in time .of war Everv foreign article bought is n slight fo our soldiers, who save their nil for the newer' of' t’’“ F.mnjre. which we are content to.see slippin" ‘ Pnhiatua. December 24.