PADDY'S MARKET.

Marlborough Express, Volume LII, Issue 169, 20 July 1918, Page 3

PADDY'S MARKET.

[to the editor.] Sir, —With your permission I will -try to enlighten your lady correspondent, "A Wife with Husband on the West-em Front," re Paddy's Market. In the first place, I should like her to read my remarks with an open mind. The reason of this appeal is as follows : Panama House having been for sale, it was considered, by a few patriotic gentlemen in the town and vicinity that it would be a good place for tlie returned soldiers as a hostel. They accordingly purchased it, and handed it over for that purpose. The Association, not havixig sufficientfunds to furnish it, decided to work a. scheme to raise funds; hence the Queen Carnival, of which Paddy's Market is the start. The next question is, Is this an appropriate time? Your correspondent is no doubt aware of the saying. "Never leave off till tomorrow what you can do to-day." The Association approached some members of ihe Ladies' Patriotic Executive verbally to take part in the function, but to our surprise we were informed that they were going to make an appeal for the Soldiers' Xmas Parcels Fund—natuially, a very laudable object; but as our scheme had beei made up and matters had been taken up with some zest in the country, we deemed it necessary, like good, army ir.en, to /:o forward and fight our campaign. Id would.be against all Brit-^h chivalry to show the white feather at this juncture. For the past four rears appeals have been made fur Xr.ias parcels, but because we try to do something for those returning =o;ne opposition is set on foot. I trust it is only momentary, and that all tviil be united in action to help us. Your correspondent strikes the correct keynote when she says "Will you let your comrades in tlie trenches suffer f-o that we may have extra comfort r"' Those words were, perhaps unconsciously, idly written. Would she deny her husband, if he returned tomorrow, extra home comfort? No; nothing would be go<ld enough. Ths:t is as it touched your correspondent, but now let me tell her of a fi.se in this town. The lad lias been an outpatient of the Blenheim hospi'ul for five months; his home is 15 ;"iles from here, and ho to to stay in town. His income from the Government is £2 9s per week; 20s of that for lioard, 19s pocket money. Wo want to help men like that. Will any one say we have no right to do so? There- is no comfort in the trenches, th.ifc :s true, and surely, when the men do return, one will not deny thorn a little extra he me comfort? It is nor, r.ropo.«od to be. lavish in our furnishinc:, ior we are just plain folk. I appeal to jcur correspondent to snve us a helping hand. She may be like ourselves, not able to do much, but every little helps.

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