RETURNED SOLDIERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLI, Issue 9247, 14 January 1916, Page 2

RETURNED SOLDIERS

To the Editor "N.Z. Times." this morning's paper there is a copy of a letter sent to Mr T. M. Wilford, M.P., by Captain Simson. With your kiift permission I will quote again the report of what the paper printed : "Mr Wilfoxd confessed that when he arrived in Botorua ho was deeply prejudiced against the soldiers, whom he had been led to believe were a band of ruffians busily engaged in painting the town red. Ho found, instead, men, who, *n courtesy and good conduct, worthily upheld in. peace the magnificent reputation they had won in the war." What has Captain Simson to growl at? Mr Wilford was right. Tou heard, 1 heard, and nearly everybody heard, that the returned men, drunk with the slaughter of our enemies, turned themselves loose on their 'arrival in New Zealand. That was a lie. and Mr Wilford gave it the lie when he, spoke at Eotorua. He cast no 6lur on the returned men, but stuck up for them as a man shouldI have met many of the returned met. Tbey have been at my home. They arc very modest about what they did, and ohary. about how they received their wounds, or how they fell sick. They are men, and Mr Wilford' said that they are men. What'-s wrong with Captain Simson ?—l' am, etc.; HIEAM GTTNN. Wellingfan, January 13th, 1916... ,