IRISH NEUTRALITY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 25 May 1945, Page 3

IRISH NEUTRALITY

ITo the Editor) Sir— In your leader on Tuesday last you appeared to be at a loss to account for Irish neutrality in the war. The answer to the question is provided in the article itself which points out that Britain and her Allies have been waging a battle against “just the kind of tyranny which Eire professes to have been fighting through her stormy history.” If Irish claims in this respect are justified, and history appears to support them, her neutrality seems a very reasonable and proper attitude. If Englishmen had suffered at Ireland’s hands as she has suffered at ours, I don’t think any of us would be at all put out at the prospect of her being compelled to swallow some of her own medicine. Another aspect on the question which does not appear to be taken into consideration is that it is a question for the Irish themselves to •decide. It is certainly not a matter upon which any country or any person outside of Ireland has a right to adjudicate. Possibly I may have an exaggerated idea of my own country and its capabilities and such Ijke, but I always look upon it as a reflection upon ourselves as a nation that we are always looking around for some bounder to help us when we get into a fight. To complain about Irish neutrality is to belittle ourselves. Who wants Irish help anyhow or apy other help be it black, white, green, yellow or striped? Pei-: sonally I would rather take a jolly beating on my own merits than glory in a victory I had not myself gained. I am etc., “ENGLISHMAN” Motueka 19th May.