LEST WE FORGET!

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 63, 15 March 1920, Page 7

LEST WE FORGET!

TO THE EDITOR. : Sir,—The Auckland Star, of 28th February, contains an account of ,'a large gathering of soldiers' mothers; Mrs. Emily Nicol presided. The most important resolution passed was one of protest against the boycotting of German goods, declaring thi6 to. be vindictive, and opposed to Christian principles, also disloyal to Great Britain; moreover, still further assist the profiteers of New Zealand. ... Sir, I wonder how many bona fide soldiers' mothers, were present at that, meeting? Were any present who had lost a son, or who had a 6on, husband, father, brother, or other relative or dear one butchered by the Huns; or, what,in many cases is worse, rendered blind for life, mentally unbalanced; some not only blind, but maimed, as well; many (ah, only too many) suffering from the effects of that devilish invention of the Hunß, poison gas! God knows what is to become of these men, who with their bodies formed a living fence to protect vus; they suffered such untold horrors that we might dwell in safety. Shall we meet those foes, who never have, and I fear never will, deal fairly or honourably? Shall we ineet^-hem with ppen arms and Christian fellowship? Cicero said,. "It is the greatest madness to place confidence in the honour of those, by whose perfidy you have often been deceived." These are words of wisdom which it would be as well for Mrs. Nicol and her friends.to study. As for being disloyal, which is the most disloyal attitude to take up—battle through and shoulder our responsibilities cheerfully, husband our resources, cultivate every acre of waste land, manufacture our own goods (there is nothing New Zealand will not grow, given a chance)? Or shall wo degenerate into miserable puling, pleasure-loving wasters, howling to the Government to perform impossibilities, oi'jopen the gates to such dishonourable foes, who never cry "Kamerad" but when their own skin is in danger of being hurt? And profiteers, forsooth! If w« must have profiteers, for God's and Empire's sake let us have them of our own blood—not Huns who have profiteered the bodies, brains, and blood of our own brave boys.. Let us not forget what they did for us. To quote Cicero again : "It is the duty of a, good consul, not only to see what is doing, but also to foresee what h going to happen." No true soldiers' mother is going to boost the Hun's goods, and thus make them prosperous enough to spring another war on the world. They have not conformed Ho the Peace Treaty yet, nor have they delivered over to justice the chief war criminals. Mothers of sons'. Trade with Germany, and in future days you shall suffer just what wo are suffering nttw.~l am, etc., "