PARLIAAIENTARY CANDIDATES.

Evening Star, Issue 19841, 14 April 1928, Page 5

PARLIAAIENTARY CANDIDATES.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —The ‘ Evening Star,’ on Thursday, made very interesting reading. Tli j article on the front page under the heading ‘Power of the People, Should War bo Put to the Vote, ’ is one that should be read by every thoughtful man and woman. _ Surely we need to read, learn, and inwardly digest the wise words of the Hon. Alanson B. Houghton, contained in the above-mentioned essay. Great strides arc being made in many countries in knowledge as to the futility of war, and wo in New Zealand should not neglect to keep abreast of the times. Thanks, Mr Editor, for this report. Unfortunately, however, your correspondence column has been used as a means to defame one of Dunedin’s most, worthy citizens. I refer to the attack on Air John Gilchrist in the later portion of the letter hooded ‘Parliamentary Candidates.’ Your eoiTcsjwmdent " T.AI.” is shocked because there is a possibility of Mr Gilchrist being selected as a candidate for parliamentary honors. Wc are fold

the Labor Party is out to insult the returned soldier. Bosh! Not only bosh, but a cruel insult, and an an attempt, to make political capital out of a brave man’s honesty ot utterance. lb is not my intention, sir, to ask sufficient space in which to deal in detail with “T.M.’s” charge. Let me just ask returned soldiers (or any others) to make the acquaintance of Mr Gilchrist, and ask_ him questions concerning the issues raised by *‘T.M.” They will find the answers given to be in accord with the sentiment expressed in the article aforementioned, ‘ The Pcwcf of the People.’ “ T.AI.” may ask how do I know. As one who visited his “Wee Book Shop,” I found Afr Gilchrist a real thinker, ready at all times to listen as well as talk —in fact, in my opinion, a worthy representative of those (people wishing and working for a happier and brighter land —a land of peace ami plenty for all. The Labor Party will do well to turn a deaf oar to this threat of organised coercion.—l am, etc., Truth Seeker. April 14. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Two letters appearing in yours of the 12th inst., signed by “ T.M.” and “D.P.” respectively, suggest concerted action in preparing the public for a surprise packet in the shape of a model of perfection to be copied by all aspirants for parliamentary honors. Munro’s bread has gone stale; Ansell has only one forward gear; and Gilchrist requires new decking for bis platform. So out go those throe. Please let ns into the secret; Who is the man? Maybe, “The mountains were in travail and brought forth a mouse.” —I am, etc., “A Rollinu Stone That Gathers No Moss.” April 14. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Your issue of the 12th in.st. had a letter signed “T.AI.” on Dunedin’s parliamentary candidates. _ 1 notice “T.AI.” is a returned soldier; also that ho intended to “ sink_ in the boot ” good and early to Mr Gilchrist. I am also a returned soldier, joining the Colors early in tbq war, taking part in the blood baths ol Yprcs, Arras, Somme, etc., doing all the duties of a soldier, as I have no doubt “T.AI.” did, including gathering together remains of wonderful comrades for burial. Now, there is one great virtue I. found in Air Gilchrist—he knew all about this dirty war business years ago, while 1, like many others, liacl to see all the horrors of war first. I can quite understand how “T.M.” feels about him. I felt the same when I enlisted, but education is a wonderful thing, and perhaps some learn quicker than qlhgrs. 1 certainly never wish to witness another war. How many returned soldiers dor 1 Surely it is far more loyal to one’s country to do the work Air Gilchrist does—i.o., point out the horrible brutality of war that we may live in peace and work for better conditions, both for our own and onr country’s benefit. No doubt, “T.M.” board the cry during the war: “ After this wc are finished with the Germans. We will never trade with them again.” Arc we doing this, and can wcP I think if “T.M.” looks round ho will find ho is getting left, for Mr Gilchrist is now in good company. Famous returned soldiers like Sir Inn Hamilton and Sir William Robertson have spoken words very similar to Air Gilchrist regarding war. England also had a popular Prime

Alinister with the same views, and quite recently over 128,000 sent a petition to Air Baldwin, all against the war spirit, but they are not disloyal citizens. 1 have no doubt there are many returned soldiers here, some unfortunately out of work, who now question the sacrifices made during the war. 1 am sure they will not go far wrong if they support Air Gilchrist if he is again* standing for parliamentary honors. Air Gilchrist is a citizen of whom any constituency in this good city may well be proud. Alakc his acquaintance, “T.A1.,” and, who knows, you may be found supporting this man you so misunderstand. —I am, etc., Another Returned Soldier. April 14. TO THE EDITOR. Sir.—ln your issue of April 13 there appeared a sympathetic letter in regard to ex-soldiers’ graves with no headstones. I have every ■ sympathy —not for the poor bodies that lie there; they are gone to await judgment—but for the poor wives, children, and mothers that are left to struggle on without that only loved one. But why waste money on these headstones and huge columns_ of marble, upon which are inscribed, “ 'To the Glorious Dead ” ? Why “glorious” ? Were they not practically forced to create other linsbandloss homes? This is what that villainous Air Gilchrist was trying to prevent, when preaching peace in war time; viz., making husbandlcss homes by shedding the blood of men and boys, probably as innocent as ourselves. What is more, this villain, as I have heard him called, must have some good in him ; his very name suggests it—Gil-Christ —a. gill being a small portion, and some that have so much to say against him probably have no Christ at all. Headstones and monuments of marble only servo to eniich the monumental mason. If we want to honor the dead ex-soldier, tbo best wav to do that is by turning our collections into the channel for providing for the widows and fatherless, etc. —I am, etc., April 14. I.H.fe.