LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15820, 18 January 1915, Page 7

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

IRISH RECRUITS.

Sir, —The report which had gone abroad about tho Irish not recruiting has been answered by Lords MacDonnell and Crew©. Fighting has been our chief element right , down the ages. When not with the Danes or Normans, we hammered away at our own kin. As well might a fish live without water as Irishmen go through this life without a skirmish. We fought for England in dark days. Shall we refuse now when she has recognised our rights as Nationalists and when she is endeavouring to make amends for the past? Shane O'Dala. RECRUITING. Sir, —I hear something of forming a Corps of Veterans. I am 81 years of age, but shall be wiling to shoulder a rifle again to defend my home and this country, if considered.necessary. Navy. Sir, —I would like to state that I am in sympathy with the opinions held by "H.0.M." I also would like to ask "An Auckland Girl" would she be prepared. to assist aged mothers left ' destitute and homeless by sons carried away by patriotic ardour? One old lady whose three sons had enlisted was found sleeping in private grounds, a newspaper covering her white head. Surely the boys she bad reared at least owed her a duty before King or country. Marianne Jones, Women's Political League. Sir, —I cannot but resent the insinuations cast at our boys by "A True British Woman." Does it not occur to her that while she is calling cur boys shirkers she may be hurting the feelings of the brave, true-hearted mothers of Auckland who have so nobly and bravely given their sons to assist England in her great fight for freedom? Has it, I wonder, ever occurred to her that amongst the crowd of young fellows that so sicken her, there may be some of the younger sons of those same brave mothers who are nobly assisting their country by helping their parents to keep a home for those dependent upon them. I think that " True British Woman " is thoughtless and unjust in her judgmeut and I feel «-ure that were necessity to arise, there would be no shirkers found among our New Zealand lads of wLoin we are and -will be jnstlv proud. A True New Zealand Mother.

Sir,Re the letters of " A True British Woman" and "An Auckland Giri" I would like, with your permission, to ask the writers of these a few questions: (1) Have they subscribed their share (and a little over wouldn't hurt) towards the Patriotic Fund, Belgian Fund, etc.? (2) Have they supplied an}' comforts to the soldiers who are at the front now? (3) Have they taken a course in ambulance or nursing work ro that they could give their help if required in New Zealand? (4) If German ships were to appear in the harbour, and were to land an armed forced where would they look for protec-tion-if every able-bodied man had gone ;o the front? (5) Have they given to fight for the Empire one who is dear to them, perhaps the very dearest of all? If thsy can answer even these few questions satisfactorily then they have a right to be critical. All tho samo each case must be judged on its merits, and a man may bo acting just as heroically by staying behind as by going. As " H.C.M." points out the recruiting officers get all the men they need. A thee True British Woman. Sir,l would like to say something in reply to your fair correspondent signing herself "True British Woman," in defence of our young men, who have marriage ties and responsibilities that absolutely bind, which unfortunately prevent them from going to the front. I feel justly proud of such men, who accept and ac--1 knowledge the responsibilities pertaining to their wives and young families, and who are manly enough to defy -the heaps of scorn and contempt which may be levelled at them by "A True British oman" and the rest of my sex. Fortunately my young man and his two brothers have gone to the front, but I know several young men with past military training and who to all appearances comply with the present military regulations. but who up to date cannot receive a "clean bill of health" fitting them for active service. Are these men to be treated with scorn? I say no. n:d sav they are to be sympathised with. "True British Woman" may refer to single men onlv. but she does not discriminate, and. as I am a native of New Zealand, end the eldest of a family of ten, I reply in defence' of my father and the young men who have been refused as physicallv unfit. Ceija.