WHITE FEATHERS.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2549, 25 August 1915, Page 10

WHITE FEATHERS.

"I also gather from the lads coming out that there has been a.lot of nonsense with white feathers.' * Several . . had been singled out by some well-meaning (sic) but certainly misguided , persons, and whito feathers were, sent, with the word 'coward.' Wo have no cowards, and I am sorry people should b'e so ignorant about our lads, . . . and I do hope such whito feather episodes are few and far between." —Colonel Mackesy to Mayor Jack, Whangarei, 11.7.15. Sir, —I could hope the same, but I know better. I have personal knowledge that larrikinesses are sending feathers to lads they see in the streets in civilian clothes. Thoy only know their names, and absolutely nothing else ibont them. They find their-addresses from the telephone directors', after asking where they work. As Colonel Mackesy _ says, this not only causes pain, but is degrading and demoralising to those who engage, in such tactics. These girls are \ not more vicious than others possibly, but. they are . unquestionably more open to vicious influences, among which is the attempt to apply the moral of A. E. W. Mason's book to the present circumstances. I know of ono young fellow who knows lie ought not to enlist—he lias a' brother at tho war and is the sole remaining child of his mother and her main supporfr-but he lias received these unworthy, cowardly, malicious gibes, and ho has enlisted. Surely if anything happens to Jiim a mother's curse should 'have some effect on his persecutors.—l am, etc., X.