SALUTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8529, 1 April 1891, Page 3

SALUTES.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,A warship of a friendly nation pays us a visit, and announces its arrival by a salute, meant certainly as a courteous greeting, which perhaps under present arrangements could not be omittecL But it sourds very much like, " We could blow you to pieces if we chose," and our guns return the salutation in a manner which suggests, *' You just try it, that's all." The whole proceeding is not only childishly wasteful and utterly useless, but cannot be other than harmful, for the shock of the discharges is felt, for miles around our land-locked harbour, to the distress and injury of invalids; while in critical cases it would be fatal. But militarism, ever pitiless, is indifferent to the well-being of those whom it professes to protect. Why should this young nation ah.visihly adopt, without consideration, all the foolish customs which have grown up in the old world ? Why not show some of the rigour and independence of youth, and isfctiko out & line for ourselves by intimating that we eat* neither receive nor give these rough greetings? If any outward sign be necessary, something might be done with slags ; but surely to deal honestly and well by our visitors, showing them such attention tui may be in our power, is the true hospitality, suus is "a more civilised method than banging away at one another with big guns like so many savages. —l am, &c, Mary Stisasmais? Alms. March 30,1891.