SUNDAY NIGHT TALKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23617, 29 March 1940, Page 11

SUNDAY NIGHT TALKS

Sir, —I have been much interested in reading the letters 011 the above topic. I am of opinion that the J lon. AY. Nash, who is an Anglican layman, has as much respect for the Sabbath J)ay :is the best of us. Me hits timed his address over the air for alter divine services have ended. One writer quotes from the Crucifixion. "Js it nothing to you?" I would ask is it nothing to this young country that the flower of its manhood is being sent to stem the onrush of the forces of darkness! - ' Wo have to fight to "save the world for democracy," with the hope of saving the loss of millions of lives. Surely we will forgo beautilul music to face the music of ways and means whereby to achieve the ideals of a resurrected humanity. We who listened in the country felt our hearts stirred by the evident sincerity and enthusiasm of tin; speaker on behalf of the country's welfare. Well might we be proud of our citizens who can lend without taxing their fellows for interest. One hopes that many will, as in the last war, make a present of their bonds to the Government, seeing they cannot offer their persons, thus helping to make on. this earth a kingdom of harmony. J.H.r. •

GREAT WAR DEBTS Sir, —Mr. Cropper, fresh from travel abroad, tells us that the U.S.A. would be happier if the Great War debt was paid, and Britain, as the greatest loser in war debts, would, doubtless, be happier also, if these payments could be settled all round without unsettling the commercial fabric of our world. But. of course, America is not concerned with the huge war debt cancellation made so generously by Britain to help world stabilisation, but only demands her debt be paid—and paid only in gold. Britain has laid it down that she is prepared to open negotiations with the U.S.A. when she (the U.S.A.) is prepared to accept payment as it was contracted —in kind. Moreover, Britain is fully prepared to iorget the huge amount the U.S.A. defaulted to Britain as she did to France. Repudiated by statute mostly. The U.S.A. alone among the great nations did mighty well out of the Great War. which changed her from a debtor nation to be one of ilie richest creditor nations. She benefited by the sacrifice ot Britain and her Allies, as she will to-day. Britain rendered no account for services supplied in sale protection of nationals and property of the I .S.A. during that period ot time she was an ally of Britain —the Royal Xavv was responsible for the safe carriage of man and property across the Atlantic, and much was moved in British bottoms. This service was as much a debt as were the goods and munitions supplied Britain and her Allies. J. H. 13kale.