SAD TIMES IN LONDON

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 19 May 1915, Page 2

SAD TIMES IN LONDON

PROFOUNDLY CHANGED LIVES. The head of a London^ business house, writing to a friend in Wellington, throws a good deal of flight; (says the Dominion) on the situation in England. He says: "It is evident, that the true inwardness of the situation is not grasoed in New -Zealand. One could hardly imagine, from the communications we receive that the Empire is engaged in war and. that the issue is a life and death one. and there seems to be an entire lack o? appreciation of how profoundly it is influencing our lives here. We here are in direct touch with death and wjfchjgterrible suffering. I with most 6iW§fs have su.ffered the loss of relatives^and dear friends—the lives of most of'- us liave "been profoundly changed. Not since the war opened have my wife and I been to a place of entertainment. The calls on us are urgent and insistent, and cannot be denied. Most men have cut down their city luncheon to bare'needs. One cannot .go to the hospitals without being deeply moved. My wife and I are taking some interest in some of the men, carrying thither such cheer as our purse can afford. It would amaze you to witness the cheerfulness of these soldiers in face of mutilation and to notice the manly modesty With which they speak of what they have gone through. I have seen men in the corridors with one ]pg, hopping about on cintches. engaged in a gome of football. Take an instance: There lies in the Military Hospital, Millbank. a youno: lad, in whom we have taken some interest. Wounded by shell fire, he was in Bavaria a prisoner, and has been exchanged. He is the only son of a widow, a weaver in Lancashire, who cannot come to see him. I know, but he does not, that his leg has to come off, although lie suspects he may have to lose his foot. But he is ever cheerful and pleased that he has 'done his bit,' constant in praise of his officers and of the kindness that has been shown him. Alj the nurses are full of admiration of the behaviour of these

poor maimed fellows. These things if I mistake not, will have a profound influence on this and the next generation."