V-J DAY SPEECH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 30 August 1945, Page 7

V-J DAY SPEECH

(To the Editor)

Sir.—Mr Atmore’s VJ-Day speech has apparently raised a good deal of criticism and no doubt Ihe local R.S.A.'s had it in mind when they passed the recent resolution regarding public addresses. It may have been somewhat out of place to refer at such length to Russia’s effort in the war at a meeting of thus nature but no one can aeny that Russia is now a great and powerful nation with a' growing interest in Pacific affairs. Bearing this in mind Mr Atmore’s advice to the younger veneration to try and understand Russia is surely just plain commonsense. If 1 misunderstand my neighbour I will probably quarrel with him but if I try and understand him I will probably live in peace. Personally I find it very difficult to understand this antipathy to Russia that is evident among a certain section of our community. Is it political or religious, or both? Russia. China aHo. has taken a terrible beating in this war but with the assistance of U.S.A. and our own wonderful Empire she has withstood the aggressor and has emerged triumphant. I have fought for my country and would do so again if needed, even against Russia, but I would far sooner try and understand her problems and the problems of other nations aLo, sympathetically. and live in peace.—l am, etc., OLD SOLDIER. Nelson, 27th August.