"SILENT NIGHT"

Hutt News, Volume 16, Issue 42, 14 April 1943, Page 2

"SILENT NIGHT"

Sir, — While sympathy can be extended to your correspondent, "Anonymous" re the disturbed nights cmuied by overseas servicemen unloading stores, he evidently forgets that there is a war to be won. if a l'ew disturbed nights is all be has to put up with he will be very fortunate. Has he considered what his living conditions might have been had the Japs not been halted at the Soioinons.' Perhaps he thinks he and his family would sleep more soundly to the tune of J&P bombs. An expression of gratitude for the help given us by the overseas service men mentioned would have been much more appropriate.—l am etc, "N.Zer." Sir,—With reference to a letter entitled "Silent Night" and signed by "Anonymous." As one who fought and flew with the "Yanks" in the last war, 1 feel that with all the complaining and hullabalo, they are being given a rough spin by some of our very narrow-minded citizens, particularly this one. He appears to me that instead of going to bed to sleep he only retires to listen for every noise so that he can make unnecessary complaints. 1 wonder what he would have to complain about had the "Yanks" not com 6 here and the "Yellow Men" had come in their place. New Zealand, with all her faults, is the best and safest country in the world today, only because these brave lads are here, and my advice to "Anonymous" is to go to bed and be "lulled" to sleep by that "unholy

row" they are making, because while it is going on he should know that he and his family are safe front the Yellow Peril.

Candidly, sir, I am disappointed in the treatment these Yanks are getting. We are at war and it appears to me that there are still some people who want Japs to invade their bedrooms before they wake up to the fact that we are at war. However, my home is open with a wholehearted welfcome to all those rowdy Yanks, twenty-four hours a day, and good luck to them. If "Anonymous" would adopt "Emile Coue" idea of saying, when he goes to bed, "Now to-night I am going to bed to sleep" I feel sure he will succeed. I advise him to try it. — 1 am etc., A. ATKINSON, 2 Meadows Ave. Sir, —I would say to "Anonymous" let the staging, whistling and shouting be music in his ears. I, for one, like to hear these boys laughing and singing. May God bless them, and allow them this lit-/ tie liberty to-day, for who knows what to-morrow will bring for them. You speak of men of a nation. I could whisper to you "Anonymous", men of another nation who could make a much worse noise. You would be so afraid there would be no time to mark down dates and times of such noises. There will be many "Silent Nights" for your rest and sleep. These boys, who you seek to make trouble for, will be helping to make that rest possible. Lieut. G. B. Calkins is a perfect gentleman; I don't think you will be going to speak man to man with j him. Please do not speak for the

people living near the sheds—you are the only one we have heard complaining. As for the boys swearing, your place was outside of the sheds, not going in to listen.—l am etc., A.0.8.