DEFENCE OF OUR COUNTRY

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 70, 24 March 1938, Page 8

DEFENCE OF OUR COUNTRY

(To the Editor.)

Sir,-In reply to Mr. A. C. Barrington, whose' letter appeared in your columns of even date, there, are only one or' two' points, which call for any comment from me. Mr. Barrington referred to! Ruskin as a "great-souled prophet." All of those who have read his wonderful works agree that he was one of the greatest writers of his time. That, Sir, was why he wis able to see so "clearly and speak sincerely in those lectures of his entitled "The Crown of Wild Olives." Only on the grounds of Ruskin's greatness can I agree with Mr. Barrington's opinions expressed in his letter. In his concluding remarks the correspondent states:. "I believe John'Ruskin would also be one of our company if he were here." My reply to such a statement is that it is presumption on the part of Mr. Barrington or anyone to judge what attitude Ruskin would adopt. In conclusion, let me ask Mr. Barringcon, if a burglar broke into h-s office, if he has one, or his home, would he ask the police for protection or assistance? I would remind him that the police only do in civil life what is expected of a soldier in time of war.—l am, etc.,

DIGGER.

(To the Editor.)

Sir—l have read Mr, A. C. Barrington's letter, and note he is not prepared to bear arms to defend New Zealand, but is prepared to sign his name to his letters to "The Post." I would like to ask Mr. Barrington not what he did in the last war, but what is far more important, what he is going to do in1 the next? I am sorry to be unable to sign my name to this because I have no claim to the publicity. People might ask what I did, and all I can say is that J went to the war when

I was old enough and not before, as I was not well enough, and now I can still hobble round right enough, which is proof that I did not do enough to brag about, but lots of us would like to know what your correspondent is going to dp.—l am, etc,,

ANOTHER DIGGER,