A SOLDIER’S IMPRESSIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25427, 7 January 1944, Page 4

A SOLDIER’S IMPRESSIONS

Sir,—l heartily agree with your correspondent' “ Trying ” when he states that an amazing number of people in this country are selfish, lazy, and all too ready to grumble about their personal comfort. “ Trying ” goes on to say that the Government would do well to commence a thorough inqiry into the scandalous waste that is at present going on, and endeavour to make everyone realise that we are engaged in a war. What I would like to see done would be a general muster of the army of “ pansies.” Your readers will know the type I mean, with belt holding up bell-bottomed trousers, red ties blowing gently in the breeze, and hair well oiled and “ permed." As I stood at the Exchange corner on a recent evening a member of the U.S. Marine Corps passed by escorting a young lady, and two of these “ pansy ” gentry made a very disgusting remark to the marine. The thought immediately occurred to me that if a number of these persons were in khaki the same number of marines would not be needed out here, and I say “ jolly good luck to the girls who prefer the company of a serviceman to these others!” When one sees the men returning to camp, especially the furlough men, who have already done more than their share, and when one witnesses the pathetic scenes as husbands farewell their wives and children, and when one comes to think of the amazing number of fit young men who can be seen strolling the town, at dances, pictures, lolling about on the beaches, at the races, etc., etc., I tell you, Sir, It makes one wonder how they get away with it. They have dodged their duties for long enough now, and in conclusion I repeat it is high time the Government mustered them up and saw to it that they did their share along with the other fellow who is doing his.—l am, etc., Having Tried. Dunedin, January 5.