AID TO RUSSIA.

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 63, Issue 4490, 15 October 1941, Page 5

AID TO RUSSIA.

Sir, —I have been interested in the correspondence in vour columns re,rardino- aid to Russia. I do not believe as “ U. Stopyap ” suggests, that growing- potatoes would be of any material help to Russia at the present time; neither do I consider that much talk of help from the side-line is assisting. Immediately Russia was invaded I volunteered for active service in the Red Army to assist in repelling the Nazi hordes. In answer to “ Talk is Cheap’s” question, “ Have any of these gentlemen offered to fight for Russia ? ” The reply is “ Yes.” There are other volunteers in this district.—l am, etc., 872. Sir, —I did not think that there were people who would 'belittle an effort that demands all the weight of a community to aid a nation that is throwing in its full weight to overthrow Nazism. I think Dr K. N. His kens is right: there is a large section of the community that is opposed to the Russian regime. “ U. Stopyap ” says that the forty-hour week should be abolished. I quite agree with him; but there is more than that. There is profiteering amongst business enterprises. Then there is the farming community which has done nothing to emancipate the farmer problems, including the farm employee. No doubt many farmers arc doing their best to carry on production, but there are many young farmers appealing before the Man-power Committees because they are engaged in an essential industry, yet a big percentage of their time is used in pleasure with a motor car burning benzine etc. As for the “ Aid to Russia ” meeting, I attended it, and was very impressed with the speakers. They more or less tried to point out that much of the antagonistic spirit that prevails amongst the community would have to be broken down before aid to Russia could reach its maximum effort. Let us look at England’s history. Wesley was ridiculed by the upper classes when he commenced his mission when the people were in a deplorable state, but Today his memory is respected by all cree*ds. Further, take General Booth, who was looked upon as an evil man who worked amongst the slums oi London. Read his book “ Darkest England.” Yet today the Salvation Army is respected by all creeds. The same applies to Russia. She, as a nation, is going to be resipected by all nations one day, but not till those stiff-necked conservative members of the community have sadly seien their mistake. To suggest that ministers and educated men should stop talking is an expression of ignorance on the part of “U. Stopyap.” The minis ters of are the very ones we

want, and I hope all the ministers of Te Awamutu will help to build ,up the spirit of goodwill towards Rus-sia.—-I am, etc., C. CALDER. T? Mawhai. Sir,—ln forwarding this letter for publication I am in no way seeking chea,p notoriety. I have two reasons—(l) to ascertain whether the honesty of purpose of your correspondent “ U. Stopyap ” is 100 per cent and (2) to refute on my own behalf the statements made by your other correspondent, “ Talk is Cheap.” Despite criticism of the public meeting, I have a feeling that “ U. Stopyap ” is in some way sincere, and believes in his or her contentions. I can assure l , this correspondent of full co-operation in any scheme that will give aid to Russia. This assurance can be given on behalf of all those associated with the movement. “If “U. Stopyap ” stop§ yapping and puts into practice! the theories expressed, he or she will find all those associated with the public meeting ready to help. I would suggest that he or she- call a public meeting, not under a nom de plume, for the purpose of starting a market garden on behalf of the U.S.S.R. With the help of Providence and by the courtesy of the white butterfly and many two-legged destructionists our Ally should eventually 5 receive aid. I am not so much concerned with the bigoted views of this correspondent because, bigoted as they are, I believe this writer to be in many ways more sincere than “Talk is Cheap.” It is quite apparent that the key-notes of “ Talk is Cheap’s ” argument are sarcasm. and cynicism. To prove this patriot wrong in one instance it is essential to state m>y own case. I believe, Sir, I was one of the prime movers towards the calling of the public meeting under discussion. Long before Russia was attacked I offered myself for service overseas. I was prepared to occupy any position from sanitary man to grader driving. On two occasions I .was informed that no job could be found for me. My son enjoyed his twenty-first birthday with bombs dropping around. At time of writing he is somewhere in the Middle East. I recognise this is a small War effort, but I feel certain that “ Talk is Cheap ” cannot equal it. I hold this belief because I believe that this person can be placed in the category of those who, when they do anything to gain public approbation, make haste to Imlake the nature oi their action known. Having been denied the right to assist on tWo occasions. I would have no hesitation in enlisting in a brigade to assist our great Ally if this were permissible. I have been dyed “ Red ” by many, but, Sir, believing that “ Red ” donates Progress, believe me I prefer it tn that deep saffron that indicates a lack of courage and the type that, while indulging in sarcasm, hides its identity under a noim de plume.—l am, etc., A. B. ALLEN. Te Awamutu.