CORRESPONDENCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 11 May 1915, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE

THE RED CROSS FUND

(To tho Editor.)

Sir, —Through your columns I shoukl like to draw the' attention of some of the women of Nelson to the urgent need of doing more to help the Red Cross funds. One cannot read the war news without realising to some extent the tremendous work that falls on theRed. Cross Societv. The old flag is worth fighting for, and woman's part of the fighting is nursing the wounded, and thougTi we cannot all nurse, we can all do our little to help. So I would like to suggest that some of our ayoijv.i take the residential parts of- our city an collect monthly for the fund. I have been doing it for four months in cue street and" find nearly everyone w:!.' Jig to help and pleased to do so, eacu houf-e givincr a monthly subscription f'oin sixpence to five shillings- Hie Tiamo ('F our city ought to stimulate us to iff at deeds (in our small way), as we owe: cur peaceful conditions to our Navy. We to be able to send money H.-yne regularlv as "well as our- wed fa r Ked chest, and I feel sure if some w«.i.ld offer to collect the result wouid he nK-st satisfactory, and all Nelson they were doing "their little bit. I am, etc.. F. M. Glli'^N. P.S-—I wish it to be fully -.mde-rtood that\ the canvassixig should bo com.neJ to the residential areas, the own is already giving.

VANDALISM

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—l would like to draw the new City Council's attention. to a fine oaktree which some miscreant some weeks ago in the -Old Cemetery. Trafalgar-street South. Even after the vandalism perpetrated by tho last City Council in the Botanical Gardens one can hardly think any official could J.*ve attempted to destroy this valuaole tieo. Some years ago the Beautifying Society lopped'an unsightly branch or two fro.n the same tree so that it should grow more symmetrically. I hope, Sir, the police will be put. on the trail of whoever it is that has b&en destroying pub lie property in this mannei. I am, etc., • NELSONIAN

RELIEF POTATOES,

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Last spring, Mr. Bowden gave the use of two or three acres of land to crow potatoes on for the benefit of those in need. X have heard' that- some of the City Council workmen, have been digging these potatoes, and having what, they w'a'fft lor their own use. Could you kindly give. some particulars regarding who 'has the disposing of these potatoes, as there. are_ very many needv ones, even in our little - city, who would be truly thankful for some help in this respect". I would also like to suggest, through the medium of your paper, that all, as patriotic subjects, should endeavour to keep the ccst living down as much as possible. This, of course, applies principally to those who deal in the necessities of life, as poor people are sure to feel the pinch cf this terrible .war through the coming winter. It seems inconceivable that in favoured Now Zealand there are some men who : are making a "rich harvest out oi this great and horrible war. This, however, is the and it seems to me a case of one letting rich out of another's misfortune. I trust this will be a word in season. I am writing on behalf of many who, I know, are 'beginning. to feel the effects of the war. Let us all do our part to assist our suffering fellow-creatures (whether at home or at the front), and seek to be ti-ue patriots. I am etc., PATRIOTIC.

(The City Council employees in. question kindly offered' to dig the potatoes in their spare time. " We are informed, there is a good., supply of potatoes on hand, and those in heed will be attended to by Messrs J. Ingram, "White, or: TV. Winter.} " i

LET US ARISE !

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —The chief of this most devilish and cruel affair in the deliberate sinking of the Lusitania, with her passengers and' crew, carrying as many souls as the half of Nelson contains, is this : That we should now try and believe that Germany "means business" ; and •Germany'se idea of war business — and other business- —is to stick at nothing—absolutely nothing ! That's been the policy'of. her War Lords for the Best part of a hundred years. It is not new ; it has been taught and laid; down; that"War is an act of violence, which in its application knows no bounds." No bounds?. None! We can believe it now safely—Germany will stop at nothing to gain her ends. We know 1 that now—partly. >l think it is high time that 'a more whole-souled effort was made. : We must arouse ourselves to the magnitude of the issue of this . Titanic struggle. It is one of life or death'.. Here, lounging through sunshine, we go our way, eating and drinking; but we don't know What; the struggle is going to cost. If we lose, de, lose everything; and the more property or money you may have the more your cause .for sorrow. Let us arise ! Itic time to consider now whether any ■ alert_ man ■ should he found loitering behind. _ a "counter, or seated on a stool counting figures. Ho should apply himself diligently to duty by trying to forecast the figures- of the future- —the'new future, i 'Oi course, many have obligations. which cannot -be arranged at a moment's no-' tice. And ''Business as usual'' is a fine motto as far as it goes; but I think the most; thoughtful amongst us will consider that it does not go far enough in faceof- the dreadful and awful fate of the Lusitania—one of the most dark and bloody deeds in, the history of the world in peace or war; Let us arisen if we will be wise! I am, etc., R.S. .