FAREWELLS TO SOLDIERS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CV, Issue 16080, 29 September 1916, Page 5

FAREWELLS TO SOLDIERS.

To the Editor of the '.''limavu Herald." -\\ r ith many others 1 ii&ve been disgusted with iho method ct ■'jareweiluig our sold.ers in. some of our South. Canterbury co.mmimities. Evei-y possible excuse seems to bss taken for holding a dance or a euchre party or some ionn of- j t>]l .ficai.i on ' ?{;. generally means one for tliesoklicr or patriotic object and- "nine' for 8 iSiemselves.". lii'st night there was a dance in this locality to farewell a soldier, and this morning I re'ad tli© account of a relation of mine lei lied in action in France. •Surely when so many of our young men are giving their very .blood for their country it is most unseemly that those at home should be so callous as to think of nothing but enjoying themselves in suet a fashion. If it would be unseemly to- rejoice and dambe' at a funeral it is certainly disgusting to dance and rejoice at a period like this. Farewell soldiers and get money for patriotic objects, but do things in the serious-minded manner appropriate to a period like this. Just imagine our men in a corner falling by the hundred, and at that very momenttheir wives and mothers and sisters are dancing at home. If we expect God to honour us as a Nation and prosper our arms at this time, we should firsts honour Him, and show a greater spirit of seriousness- ; As, many pf "our gol-1 d'ers will never return it would be much rhore Ifit-ting to!; say. farewell to them | in; a more serious and less selfish manner. —I am, etc., '