LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16979, 16 April 1917, Page 7

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

THE COAL MINERS' STRIKE. Sir, —I see by your papor that tho West Coast miners havo como out on strike. At such a time as this, when tho country is wanting so much coal, I say, shamo on them! Tho striko is duo to only a few agitators from tho other side, and it is n pity tho miners are led by them. I am an old West Coaster, and I know tho miners aro as patriotic as anyone iu tho country. Tho Government should put in tho mines (i good many of tho men who havo been balloted for and boon rejected by tho medical boards. We cannot let the mines lio idle and if theso men aro not able to fight for their country, thoy can work tho mines. It will be a serious thing to us all if the mines aro allowed to remain idle. I would advise tho managers to pick out tho men vho aro causing all tho trouble —thero aro only a few of them —and get rid of them, as was dono at the timo of tho big strike.— I am, etc.. Old West Coaster. Cromwell, April 11. . THE TREATMENT OF IRELAND. Sm, —In reply to " Mosgiel,'.' I wish to state that tho Irieh question is. according to history, not a question of religion. Tlio l-'arl of Dunraven says in "A Legacy of Past Years" (page 109): "Nothing is moro Tomarkablo jn all the stained and chequered pages of Irish history than tho absence of religious persecution and the deep respcct for sinccro religion in every form evinccd by tho people;." This is how it should bo, and as, I believe, how it exists. As Solomon says, however: "A fool's lips enter into contention and his mouth calleth for strokes." I do not intend to argue with "Mosgiel," hut I wish to point out a few of tho errors into which he has fallen. Ho says, " Tho Irish question is ono of religion—a subject which will always crcato dissension, and is therefore .better left alone." I presume that is what lie thinks. Nevertheless, ho says: "Father Liston docs not tell us that 220,000 of these aro Protestants." Father Liston expresses himself in a much moro unbiased manner, and writes of Irishmen when he refers to tho natives of Ireland. If " Mosgiel" uses tho words " Roman Catholic " and " Protestant " in tho place of " Irish," why does ho not go into details and toll us hpw many wero Unitarians, Freo Thinkers, Spiritualists, etc.? Again, he says: "Father Liston states that Irishmen arc made to bear the brunt of tho heaviest fighting in tho present war. In other words, he insinuates that thoy aro placed in front to shield Protestant soldiers." Why "Protestant soldiers"? Father Liston said "Irish," not "Roman Catholic" soldiers. Why bring religion into the discussion at all? Could " JVlosgiel" not lind a way of expressing himself that would bo more in accord with his principles? ' Your correspondpnt "Protestant" wishes to widen tho breach between north and south, or Protestant and Catholic Ireland, by specifying tho number of men enlisted in Ulster and the number in the rest of Ireland. Ho says: "Let liim also take into consideration tho amount of trouble caused by tho South of Ireland in rebellions, etc." lam not in a position to state how much moro trouble has been caused by tho South of Ireland. But let "Protestant" bear in_ mind that the South of Ireland exceeds Ulster in population, and it is reasonable to that extent to expect moro trouble: By making trouble did thoy amuse themselves or did thoy mako troublo for amusement? I think the perfect form of judgment is that based on tho intention, not the result. If tho Irish in tho south caused troublo with the intention of making conditions more congenial for succeeding generations, their actions aro to bo hignly commended. Although I am a Protestant, I prefer to bo an Irishman, not an Ulsterman.—l am, otc., Ukited Ireland. THE PROBLEM OF FOOD CONTROL. Dii-;,—my letters irom time to tune woi'u written witu viuw to provoKiiig" thought on a matter of very great liiipon,hustuiuo, tliat oi feeding tuo dominion, I am glad trial your correspondent, "jcood," has bet the bad rolling, and shall feel that something has been accomplished when an abler pen than mine continues the suujccr. Tho matter ox feeding our infants is being regarded as very important, ajid it is a "wiso tiling to make a good beginning, but tlio wisdom is shown in its completeness ■when we follow up to a good finish. i think a course ot freo domestic science lectures and practical demonstrations of cookery would bo of benefit to our dominion at 'this juncture, and might help us all to continue the good work, begun by feeding our infants properly and followed up by learning how to feed tho whole household. Not so much with a view to money saving,' but to the all important fact of getting tho very best obtainable from our foodstuffs. "Foocl" asks: "Would Mrs Pinfold kindly tell us which foods contain tho most nourishment—repair waste tissue and give the best all-round results?" Now, that is a plain question, also a rather stiff one, because, to quote an old saw, ono man's meat is another man's poison. In order to know'how to feed the members of the home a woman must exercise a lot of brain power. Physical abilities and disabilities must bo considered, and just hero the great importanco of feeding the infant..comes in. Begin with a good digestion, 4 and many articles of food, which are littlo used becauso they aro harder to digest than others, might if properly cooked bo judiciously taken, and bo quite nourishing. Cheeso, for example, is a good food, but I once saw a mother give a lump of cheese, probably weighing soz, to a delicate littlo fellow 'of four or five years. I havo seen two women buy--ing meat. A neat, well-to-do ono has chosen shin of beef at 4d per lb, and a moanly-dressed, poor looking woman has chosen pork chops at-8d per lb. Assuming that tho chops when served would bo no bettor dressed than the woman: What would be tho result Hp thoso partaking of thorn ? Tho following ' table, according to a good authority, will show tho proper amount of food for h full-grown moderately hard-working person in Now Zealand:— Albuminoid matters 4.587 \ I' at 2.964 I Solids, 460z. Carbo-hydrates ... 14.250 f Water, 58oz. Salts 1.058 J Having found how much is needed, wo muse cnooso tho foods which give these constituents in their right proportions. Mutton, poultry, and beef aro valuabi© albuminoid foods. "Veal and pork aro not good foods. Eggs and fish—oysters especially are nourishing. Starches, sugars,, oils, and milk are fat-forming. Amongst tho carbo liydrates wo find broad, nco, oatmeal, potatoes, parsnips, onions, bananas, oranges, lejnons, beans, -peas, nuts.' Salts of various kinds arc a very essential part of the diet. Many of them are used in building tissue and are required for various other purposes. Your correspondent, "Food," will see by my somewhat crude attempt at enlightenment on tho subject in hand, that one person cannot lay down a liaxd and fast rule in this matter, but each housewife must use her own brains. If in our various centres we could get together occasionally »,Hid discuss theso matters, and exchange Wcas, I think wo would bo benefited.—l »*m, etc., . . _ Elizabeth Pinfold. Mosgicl, April 12. "IRISH GRIEVANCES." Sir, —"iviosgioi s" nice little letter, with *ho list ot regiments engaged in the Historic Mons reu-eat, 1 note witu pleasure; but had already seen that list ill a copy oi General i'Yeucli'e first and second despatches. To take ono sentence of my poor communication, and build a whole objective upon it, may suit "Mosgiel"; but i have no inclination to join sssuo with ail and sundry about e;ioh sentcnco in my letter. May 1 therefore 'beg to be excused If "Yorkshire" will carefully road again my own and his letter fie will sco tho cssonco of this pleasant little dispute. He admits former grievances, but wnen theso grievances "did" exist thero wero none to admit them. The English, or, if you choose, tho British peoples refused to consider such a thing as an Irish wrong. No such thing exited. Tho Irish were only, as usual, finding fault. They were only too well oil, etc., etc., "ad nauseam." Look at "Yorkshire's'" letter: "Cromwell . . . was responsible for a huge amount of devastation in England Roman Catholic disabilities, which havo been known to _ exist :n England . . arc beside the point. ' Of course they art. Cromwell's doings in England and tho Penal Laws in England woro a mild Sunday school picnic to. what happened in Ireland ! Hero, as u.vual, tlio Irish wrong or grievance is ignored. On tho matter of Homo Rule I havo nothing to say. I do not know if ten friovlinccs of tho Irish would holp; but f now /nivo a now ono, which is more than any ten combined. It is this: That "Yorkshire" could even unagino there woro no grievances, This makes mo sad.—l am. etc., . ~ I''- Kex.veth M'Donali.. April 12.