What Readers Think Letters to the Editor

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21554, 17 January 1940, Page 8

What Readers Think Letters to the Editor

TIMARU RECRUITING Sir.—l heartily agree with “Who Cares." It is being left to the willing horse. There is nothing patriotic about Timaru. There was not even an instrument for the men to march to when going to the station last Friday. What about the soldiers’ wives who draw their allowance, but still hold down their jobs? Is that fair to those who are looking for work? It seems to be a case of every man for himself. Timaru was misnamed. It should have been called Grab.—l am, etc., ONE WHO CARES Timaru, January 15. CAROLINE BAY AMENITIES Sir,—Regarding the suggestion of a coloured fountain on the Bay, I am inclined to agree with the idea someone else expressed that we might find something much more useful to add to the Bay’s popularity. Was there not an idea put forth some time ago that, a short cut tunnel or arcade should be put through from Stafford Street to the Bay somewhere in the vicinity of Bond’s Stores right-of-way where the Women’s Division market now is? That is an excellent idea and would prove an invaluable asset to the Bay and to the public since it is a long trek.—l am, etc., PRACTICAL Timaru, January 15. FINNISH HISTORY Sir,—Some of your readers may be Interested to know that much of the truth about Finland is being deliberately withheld from us, and that, what we are being told, is calculated to arouse our feelings and lull to sleep our critical faculties, so that, what we finally come to believe in regard to Finland and the Finnish people, shall be exactly what the money masters of the world wish us to believe. The scientific way of investigating any subject whatsoever, is to begin by realising that everything in nature has a history behind it. So, if we would understand the present day spirit and aspirations of the Finnish people we must dip into their past history; and. on doing that, we find they are imbued with much the same socialistic ideals as those which regenerated Russia, made Sweden the most highly civilised country in the world, and which raised New Zealand from the pit of a prolonged and serious depression, restored her former prosperity and gave her a goodly measure of social security. In 1916, they elected a Socialist Government to acquire all the natural resources of the country, together with all the means of subsistence, so that these might be used for the benefit of all the people, and no longer for the excessive enrichment of a few resident German barons and foreign speculators. That Government was quickly overthrown. But, when Russia revolted in 1917, Finland revolted too; and, the national militia, uniting with workers’ organisations, defeated the Government forces; and the former Socialist Government was returned to power; and, when Parliament met, it declared Finland a free and independent republic, and a member of the Russian Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. But, German and other foreign troops were brought into the country, and, supported by these, General Mannerheim put the Finnish people to the sword, with terrible slaughter, earning for himself the title of “Mannerheim the Butcher of Finnish people,’’ while his colleague, Tanner, became known as "Tanner the Hangman." It is perfectly clear from all this that the Finnish people showed great determination to break away from the rule of Capitalism, and to link their destiny with Russia; and, at the present time, they are again in revolt, and are renewing their efforts to that end. Following the lead of Eastern Poland, Esthonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, they have appealed to Russia to come and take them too under her protection. Russia has undertaken to do so; and at present her Red Army is taking up its position in Finland preliminary to a concerted attack on the forces of Finnish Capitalism; but the outcome is in the lap of the gods. —I am, etc.,

A. M. PATERSON Timaru, January 16

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