WOMAN'S WARM WORDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20868, 9 May 1931, Page 2 (Supplement)

WOMAN'S WARM WORDS.

SCHNEIDER TROPHY RACE.

LADY HOUSTON'S BIG GIFT.

MINISTER AND " CANDID ENEMY."

Lady Houston, whose guarantee of £IOO,OOO has made it possible for Britain to enter this year's Schneider Trophy race, is puzzled by the declaration of Mr. Montague, Under-Secretary for Air, in Parliament a few weeks ago that ho appreciated " the generous and patriotic nature of the gift." Early in February Mr. Montague publicly asked, " Why should she not make this gift ? "

Lady Houston has sinco sent Mr. Montague tlio following letter:— " Dear Mr. Montague,—l think you must once have been on the music-hall stage—as <i quick-chango artist! " When I was a young girl my favourite exercise was turning over head and heels every morning before breakfast, but later on I was warned that only in one's youth should- this acrobatic feat be indulged in. Evidently this warning never reached you, for within (he last few days you have turned a complete somersault. Was this not dangerous at your time of life ?

" A few weeks back, after clipping your tongue in envy, hatred, and malice,

and all uncharitableness, you journeyed to Reading—there thoroughly to enjoy yourself—by uttering the most bare-faced untruths about.me and my dead husband —any one of which I defy and challenge you to prove! " Were I not of a meelc and lamb-like disposition a libel case would bo instituted against you—which learned counsel inform me 1 should certainly win. And then it would be my turn thoroughly to enjoy myself—for I should crossexamine you myself—and the late Sir Robert Houston said that at this game I am ' deadly,' so you seo what my sweet amiability has spared you, and I hope you are duly grateful. " Since the Reading episode, finding how disgusted people are with your behaviour, and having had the cold shoulder turned upon you in all directions, llio conclusion is forced upon you that, patriotism is more appreciated by the country than socialistic defeatism—and so, lo and behold! I read in my press cuttings to-day these astounding words:

Mr. Montague: I appreciate as well an any member of tho House or of the public tho generous and patriotic nature of the gift of Lady Houston in connection with the Schneider Trophy contest.

" I feel quite embarrassed and bewildered. What does it mean? Has the leopard changed his spots 1 Aro you be-

ginning to see tho error of your ways ? Arc you sorry and want to lie forgiven ? If no, 1 am willing to forgive you and let bygones bo bygones, if you promise to be good and above all and before all aro determined to mnko tho Air Force First —not a miscrablo Fifth (perish that thought). " But remember the eyes of many outsiders aro jealously watching you, and if by any fault of yours our airmen fail to win the trophy—Well! I should not like to bo in your shoes! " Your candid enemy, " Lucy Houston."