BRITISH BABIES.

NZ Truth, Issue 685, 27 July 1918, Page 3

BRITISH BABIES.

Dear "Truth," — I noticed a letter m your issue of July 20, signed "All British" and headed aa above, referring

to a Hasting-'s .baby m the competition having- German grand -parents. 1 have not the slightest- personal interest m the matter, but as a resident of this town for over 35 years, I think m the interest of what I regard, as British \ Fair Play, that I should tell you that those who have read the letter, regard it as a mean and cowardly attack. The father, a young: Britisher who is held m the highest esteem, left New Zealand for the front some two months ago, leaving behind 'him,, a wife and a baby a few months old. He never attempted to dodge his obligation as so many others . have done, and his wife is deservedly popular for her valuable services m patriotic work. And the reward of this young soldier is that m his absence his wife and unconscious baby is subjected to a contemptible attack by a pei'son who, if current reports here are correct, belongs to the gentler sex, who has the audacity to sign herself "All British!" The wife's father (a German), was a resident of Hastings for feorty years, brought up a large family, was held v ln the highest esteem, and was a kindly old fellow for whom everybody had a good word, and now that he, sleeps m the cemetery, surely m common decency, "All British" might have left him there m peace. Had the worthy old citizen been alive, how proud he would have been of the son, who was m the firing line and returned suffering from shell shock, and also of other sons who are on their way. — Yours, etc., "FAIR PLAT." Hastings.