RECRUITING.

Evening Star, Issue 23500, 14 February 1940, Page 14

RECRUITING.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I have been reading the letter on the above subject by one who signs himself “ Union Jack,” and have been reminded of an almost forgotten episode of my youth. I was present at a meeting of simple, kindly folk mostly, but one there was, a man well provided with this world’s goods, a farmer, in fact, though to my knowledge it was his wife and children who stayed at homo and did the work while he lifted up his voice at various “ meetings ” ; this time he was indulging in a perfect ecstasy of prayer. Head up, eyes tightly closed, he prayed and he prayed; prayed for this and prayed for that, until I thought he had left nothing out, but no, on he went, until he finally finished with a grayer for those “ who stayed behind with the stuff.” Why did “ Union Jack ” chose that word for a nom de plume? Does he not know of the bravery, sacrifice, and wonderful spirit of adventure that went to the making of. the British Empire ? British people do not like to flaunt the flag, nor do we like those who when danger threatens prefer to stay behind with their worldly possessions for fear those possessions might lessen in their absence. Pride of possessions and fear of money loss never have and never will make great men.—l am, etc., Mac. February 13.

TO, THE EDITOR. Sir, —It is hard to comprehend the depravity of your correspondent “Union Jack,” with his disloyal audacity in besmearing the sacreduess of the “ Union Jack ” by his nora de plume. It was quite evident to any intelligent reader the letter was written to use the war to belittle the Government and oppose its policy. Ido not wish to refer to the biased contents in regard to his disparity of judgment between the Government controlling the Great War and the present one; suffice to say that never in the history of New Zealand has the Labour Government been surpassed in its humanitarian legislation and its zealous endeavour to bring about a changed social order wherein poverty and want are unknown. The soldiers to-day can rest assured they will not be let down by Mr Savage and his Government.—l am, etc., Reg. H. Stielweet,. Februarv 13.