LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2610, 4 November 1915, Page 11

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

OUR LIMBLESS - SAILORS AND SOLDIERS AN APPEAL. (To the Editor.) Sir, —The nation owes a special debt of gratitwlo to those gallant men who have lost their limbs in the waT.' On their behalf we make an earnest appeal for additional funds to extend the work .it Queen Mary's Convalescent Hospitals, Roehampton, where these sufferers (officers and men) are provided at the expense of the State with their artificial appliances and taught how to use them.

The hospitals are officially recognised by the Directors-General of the Navy and Army Medical Services and the Lords Commissioners of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea.

Over eight hundred patients arc now awaiting admission, amoiig them many men from our overseas Dominions, and the numbers increase daily. To meet this difficult situation a large outlay has been incurred in tho erection and equipment of new wards, which will shortly be opened. . The work at Roehampton can best bo judged by the results achieved and by tho gratitude of these brave men on realising that, with the aid of the wonderful artificial limbs of recent invention, they will be able to obtain employment and make a fresli start in life.

With a viow to their future employment and also to provide useful occupation for the men -while in hospital, workshops fitted with model motor chassis, electrical appliances, lathes, etc., are being organised, with competent instructors. A man who has lost his right hand will be taught to write with the left, and classes for other industries will be arranged. An Employment Bureau working in conjunction with existing societies and employers of labour has also been established, and already a number of men have been placed in good situations. _ From tho numerous offers received, it is hoped through this medium to find suitablo employment for every man on his leaving .the hospital. To maintain and extend this national work a large additional sum of money is required, and wo look with confidence to a ready response to our .appeal from public and private sources, notwithstanding the urgency of other claims. Donations sent to the hon. treasurer at St. Stephen's House, Westminster, will be gratefully acknowledged. Yours obediently, FRANCIS LLOYD (Major-Gen.), Chairman.

C. H. KENDERDINE. Hon. Treasurer. London, September 25. . WAR PENSIONS. Sir,—The Dominion is doing its best to throw light on the working of the War Pensions Act, and therefore has the thanks of those concerned. In this morning's issue you give a number of cases, supplied by Mr. Massey, as being typical of the pensions granted by the board. From tho point of view of the married men, the Act stands condemned by the instances put forward to meet the criticism that has been levelled against it. In the first throe 'cases quoted, tho dependents (those of a sergeant, a corporal, and a private) have been granted full pensions, apparently because they had practically no resources. The fourth case 'is typical of what the married man considers should not happen to his widow. The schedule shows that the wife was entitled to £104 per. annum, , and child £13 per "annitm. Why. sflioiild-the wife's pension be reduced to £52 because the husband was able to leave £2000 worth of estate? She has lost his protection and companionship for ever, and the child, the guiding influence of its j father, factors wtieli twice the full pension could not buy.

The fifth case shows the major's wife to liave been better treated, and appears to illustrate the inconsistency of the Pensions Board. The wife's 1 maximum pension has only been, reduced by £5 under .apparently similar conditions to those obtaining in the case of the captain's wife, whose pension was reduced by fo2.

In the :iext two cases, further anomalies appear to have been created by tho board. "In the sixth case, tlio wife's resources are £120 per annum from her earnings, and £15 from insurance. She is granted £52 and her total income is £187 per amium. She is apparently childless, and from the monetary point of view can get along very well.

The seventh case, shows the resources of the private's wife to be worth about £36 per annum. Her pension was reduced by £18 on that account, and she and t'he cliild have a total pension of £101 per annum. Compared with the previous case, there is no justification for the reduction in this case.

I do not think that up to the .present, there has been an impression in the public mind, as stated by Mr. Massoy, that the board is not acting fairly with dependents. It is the Act itself that is the bone of contention, but the cases quoted by Mr. Massey, if alt details have been given, will quickly create Something more than a mere impression. The fact that the pensions are affected by the dependents' resources is what has lately become generally known, and the uncertainty of the pension is what has led to the outcry, especially from married men. I know an officer of high rank, now at the_ front, whose wife states that the position is very different to what he imagined it was, and she feels fairly certain that he would, have . thought twice before going unless she had been entitled to receive the full pension in the ovent of his death.

. It would be well for the National Cabinet to discuss and make ail early statement on the matter of granting the pensions regardless of the resources of dependents. In England and Australia, pensions are granted regardless of the wealth loft by soldiers, and th'is can surely bo aijariged iii New Zealand also, even if the schedule Tates have to be somewhat modified.—l am, etc.,

SETTLE IT QUICKLY. Wellington, 3rd November, 1915. War correspondents and the PRESS. Sir, —I grant Mr. A. R. Hornblow two minutes' attention. I ask liim to reread his first epistle apearing in your columns under the above heading, and likewise so treat my reply thereto. I now ask Mr. A. R. Hornblow to again peruse his to-day's production, refer per medium of the English dictionary to the word "relevancy," and then_ sit down and ponder for a very long time, HiS litest liote, in support of the good Lord knows what, is as pathetic as nis implicit faith iii our worthy Kitchener. To my vivid imagination it brings a sorry impression of a drowning man clutching wildly and futilely at the proverbial straw. It would be well for Mr. A. It. Hornblow to refrain from rushing into print till a ,greater command of the English languago be his. However, should the lure of cheap publicity again tempt him to fall by tho wayside before such time, I urge him to avoid entering the inky lists to oppose a professional scribe. Mr. A. It. Hornblow is not a literary genius. His ability with the pen is not even mediocre. Frankly. I havo you at a disadvantage, Mr. A. R. HornMow. and so I hand you back your sword and fire my pistol into tli6 air. Mr. A. R. Hnrnblow needs not reply to these remarks for my edification, as my de-

parturc is imminent, aiul this is m.v valediction. Wellington and its environments have dono their' duty well, and now I return, with a renewed energy, to the electrified realms .of warfare. — I am, etc., A VISITING WAR. CORRESPONDENT. PATRIOTISM AND A CONTRAST. Sir,—During the progress of the present war we have seen daily instances of true patriotism, and, alas, many instances of greedy insincere men growing fat oil profits reaped through the Titanic struggle, and very often at the expense of the man who has responded to the call of Empire and goes' into camp to equip himself to take his part in the firing line. During the march from Tauherinikau to Tronthani by the Eighth Reinforcements, we had occasion to halt at a spot, handy to a sma'l farm. Tired and woary wo hastened with our pannikins to refresh ourselves with milk, and thanks to the generosity and patriotism of. the owner we wore ablo to secure half a pannikin of milk each on payment of sixpenco each. Next day when we were wending our way and. Hearing the Upper Hutt, we halted for a short rest. A milkman drives along with his cart full of largo cans of fresh milk. He pulls up, and tells the thirsty soldiers to lift the cans from his cart and help themselves. I slinll let your readers judge of tbo two men—tho one who jwckcted the hard-earned sixpences of the soldiers, or the man who" drove away with empty cans, followed by the hearty' e'eafening chocrs which burst from the throats of hundreds of grateful soldiers.—l am, etc., ONE OF THE EIGHTH. RECRUITINC SERMONS. . Sir, —The Press is giving the public with, more or less frequency tho opinions as expressed in sermons of parsons on tho recruiting question It is about time we had a respite from this sort of indeterminate utterances. A parson's opinion on recruiting is of 110 niore value than anyone else's: and expressed in a sermon it is actively mischievous. Besides being worthless, it is impertinent; and men, young and old, at the present time, pro likely to resent this form of impertinenco more actively than usual. I know one young fellow, at least, whose host desire is to enlist. He refuses to go to church these days for fear of the abuse of the parson,whom circumstance prevents him from answering back. That is another fault 1 find with the parson in his unaccustomed; and -uncalled-fur office; he thinks it necessary to be abusive. Shirkers, skulkera, losers of their honour—this is the sortv.of slush young fellows who would enlist by the dozen if they could, iiavo to put up with or to stay away from tfiiurch. They stay away from "church. Staying away from church i» an old cry: pitiful that parsons persist in importing 4 new reason for it just now. 1 have heard Bishop Sprott preach several war sermons, and. shall willingly hear nim preach meny more. If 110 ougu used the ivord "shirker" or the word "skulker," or the phrase "lost to honour" 1 must have been asleep at tho time.—l am, etc., I''. Y. WATERS. BRITISH INJUSTICE. Sir, —It is an irrevocable law of nature that' might shall prevail. Germany, like the brute croation, is employing all her might and cunning to ■that end. All the peaco eloquence of tho world will not turn her from that purpose. The British Enipiro has recognised that fact, honce tho cry throughout tlie Empire for men and money. There are throughout -the countries many families of three or four young men, who have all gone to the fighting line,'and there are families with a like number of young men and not one lias gone to the front. There can be but one .Result to the war. Tho resources of the British Empire alone would wear out more than one Germany. Should that he a reason for taking the blood necessary to do it from the just and generous only, and sparing the selfish. There are people who say one volunteer is worth two/pressed men. My opinion is that the selfish spirit that prompts a man to stay at home would, when confronted by an enemy, make him the most desperate of fighters. If the voluntary system prevailed in Germany there would •he no war. If a like measure prevailed in France there would have been 110 army to keep the Ger-'-mans out of Paris.

Tho voluntary subscriptions of monies _ carries the 6ame injustice. Many rich people have given magnificently, and somo poor. people are giving their shillings as they earn them; hut there _ are many rich people who givo nothing. In time of peace wo giyo a battleship, and everybody contributes their quota. In our present time of stress we lit up a hospital ship at the expense of the generous. All and every expense connected with this war should he gathered by Government measures, as being tho only way to make the sellish _ contribute. The generous will still give. _ The voluntary system is tho best possible measure for drainthe generous of both blood and money, and screening the selfish. We are up against a stupendous fact, which is quite invulnerable to our ideals, tlfe only ideal that can serve, ■ and which evory Britisher should have, is a mighty army and unlimited ammunition, which can only be attained by an energetic and masterly Government. Thetre is, Mr. Editor, one more question,- I should like to say a few words oil. Peace proposals are being discussed through tho world's Press; the question is altogether premature, but not wishing to write again would like to give yon the colonial idea of it. 1 am Australian born, hut have for the last 33 years resided in New Zealand, and profess to know the colonial mind, wliicfi is—unconditional surrender on the part of the enemv- —I am, etc., ' > R. J. MAISEY. THE NEED FOR A DEFINITE PENSION. Sir, —Kindly allow me space in your valuable columns to review two of the pensions granted by the Pension Board as cited in this morning's Dominion. (1) The wife of a major, whose estate was sworn at being less than £2000, was granted £130, tho maximum being £133, witli £52 additional for four children.

(2) The ivifo of a private with some means was granted—£s2, plus £13 for cine child. She had £160 insurance, an interest of £220 in a firm, and £163 in tlie Post Office Savings Bank. In the first instance, tlie wife has approximately £2000, which, invested at 0 per cent., returns her about £120 per annum, or the equivalent; and is granted £5 less than the maximum. In the second instance, the wifc,_ if she realised her total principal, viz., £533. and invested it at (J 'per cent., would have approximately £'32 per annum, and the Pension Board in their wisdom penalise her to the extent of £l.*l per annum. This discrimination plainly shows the need in caso of death of a stipulated pension being grunted the wifo as a right, and not at the pleasure of any Pension Board. "The Pensions Board, seem to liave forgotten that we cannot all bo officers and that_ there may bo ninny married men serving as privates whose wives during tho husband's lifetime are living quite as well as any officer's wife. Thanking you in anticipation,—l am, etc., MARRIED. Wellington, November 3. ASHMEAD BARTLETT. Sir,—l am very Mirry to see the fiction taken bv Mr. Ashmo;id BnHlett; we liavo beeii indebted to him for much..

information about tho Gallipoli campaign, but now wc shall bogin to wonder il what he told us was reliable. Ho seems now to liavo been got at by some ol the newspapers which still, notwithstanding the formation of the National Ministry and the■ consequent trace in polities, will dabble in politics and are willing to damage England's cause by stirring up controversies 011 war management. These 'can do 110 good, and only give the enoiny cause lor rejoicing. That somo mistakes have been mado is only too probable, but proclaim them from the housetops? \»ho is Aslmiead Bartlett, alter all? Is 110 a great authority 011 war? Of course it is easy to be wise after tho event, but it would liavo been only proper and wise for him to have kept quiet over what ho chooses to put down as mistakes. If lie conies, hero I hope the people of this Dominion will let him severely alone, and decline to attend tho lectures of one who very nearly, if not quite, deserves the name of traitor to the cause of England and her Allies.—l am, etc., CHAS. P. POWLES.

THE REAL MR. A. R. ATKINSON. Sir, —I would liko von to be good enough to head this "The Real Mr. A. K. _ Atkinson" for tckwoiib which will appear obvious when I have finished my letter. You will remembor in your columns Mr. Atkinson made two charges against nie: (1) That as an individual I had given evidence before the Aliens' Commission regarding Professor von Zcdlitz actions, and when called upon to substantiate 6ame produced only an anonymous letter. (2) That an injustice having been done by my action, the latriotio Socioty, of which I. am chairman, tailed to make an apology to Professor von Zcdlitz. Twice in your columns I liavo challenged Mr. Atkinson to prove his statements, and up to time of writing he has failed to do so. As I am leaving for the south to-night for some few weeks, I shall esteem it a favour if you will grant mo a little extra, spaco so that I can give to the public the exact faots concerning the action of the Patriotic Society and myselfl re Professor von Zedlitz. If your readers will search tho columns of The Dominion, "Times," and "Post," they will find therein, from about May last, constant reference to the question of Professor von Zedlitz being retained at Victoria College, but I challenge anyone to find in those reports one referonce regarding Professor von Zedlitz as an individual or any of his actions. I had seen the - Prime Minister a good many timos regarding the matter, and I think he will bear me out when I say that on no occasion did I ever refer to the professor from an individual standpoint.

Some time in June I received an anonymous letter, undated, and on Juno 29 I wrote to the Prime Minister enclosing tliis letter, and telling him the matter was assuming sorious proportions, for the public wore considerably agitated over the professor's retention. (For ob.vioii6 reasons it is/not desired to print Hie contents of theso letters, but I am showing them to .vou, Mr. Kditor, so that you can certify to tho correctness of my statements.) On June 30 I received a confidential letter from Air. Massoy, stating that the question of the professor had been rei erred to the Aliens' Commission, at the samo time asking me to treat tho matter as confidential, until the commission had sat in Wellington, to which I readily responded. In this letter, however, Mr. Massey says he feels sure that they (tho Aliens' Commission) "will do the right thing from a patriotic and every other point of view." It would be some time in July when Mr. Thompson, chairman of the Aliens' Commission, sent a message to my office, and asked whether I would oafl and see him re Professor von Zedlitz. I went, and in the courso of conversation Mir. Thompson stated that the Prime Minister had handed him my letter,, and he (Mr. Thompson) wanted to know whether I had any further evidence, and whether I could get particulars of the anonymous letter. Through the courtesy of the Wellington papers I asked the writer of the letter tf> call and see me, which she did, and gave me the information which Mr. Thompson desired. It turned out that the writer of tho letter was mistaken as to Proiessor von Zedlitz m connection with the incident quoted, but Mr. Thompson me, alter the police had investigated tho matter, ,the facts as stated were correct, although the individual concerned was another German, and not the professor. I.might- say that tins lotfccr was not 6hown oy me to one individual, excepting,the Prime Minister. It will then. Ik seen that the nter of the letter was correct as to the facts of a certain incident which ;vas absolutely un-British, but it waß nicoirect as to associating Professor von Zedlitz with it; but I want to point out here that that letter was nover sent by me to the Prime Minister as other inan an anonymous letter. I never at any time used it as "evidence," and when Mr. Thompson at the interview above referred to asked me whether I had any evidence to give, I expressed considerable astonishment, stating that 1 understood from the Prime Minister that they (the Aliens Commission) were to advise the Government on tile question of principle, and not evidence. Mr. lhompson said that the Commission's inquiry was restricted purely to matters which would warrant the internment of the Professor, and I then stated that as far as tho Patriotic Society and myself were concerned we would not appear bofore the Aliens Commission because we had no evidence to give. I would like your readers to carefully note this particular portion of my statement, because it has considerable bearing on what is to follow. Mr..Thompson suggested that he would like me particularly to be present at the Aliens Commission, and I consented, at the same time' telling him that I could only refer to the question of principle, and had no direct evidence. You can judge • of my surprise, Mr. Editor, when I duly appeared before the Aliens Commission to have Mr. Thompson make this statement that ho read my letter of Jiine 29 to the Prime Minister as meaning that the complaint in the anonymous lettor was typical of complaints as to the "actions of Professor von Zedlitz." I said I had never intended any such statement to be read into_ my letter, and I think you will admit if there was anything in the letter that was ambiguous enough to have been read as Mr. Thompson then read it, he should have said to me at the first interview, in reply to the statement that I had no evidence to give, that he read my letter to the Prime Minister to mean that I had evidence. On the face of it, I am forced to this conclusion, that Mr. Thompson was determined to put me on oath and deliberately sdt a trap for mo to fall into. Before the rojiort of the. Aliens Commission Was published, The Dominion of Saturday, August 14, contained a report of the meeting of the Patriotic Society. I shall esteem it a great favour if you will publich this matter in full, and then your readers Will be able to say whether my actions and those of the Patriotic Society aro what I claim them to be. The report follows: —

"An Alien Professor." "Tlio Von Zedlit-z Case." "Discussed by Patriotio Society." "The fact that Professor von Zedlitz continues to hold his position on the staff of Victoria College, and that tho Prime Minister has stated that tho Government can take no further action after the report received from the Aliens Commissiftn, was discussed at tho meeting of the Patriotic Society last night. "The president of the society (Mr. H. o>> Hill) pointed out that the question was on the agenda paper, He

said that it had given him a great deal of thought, for it was quite possible to inflame the public mind wlion deal'ing with such a matter in open committee, and they might arouse outrages_ which the.v did not want. The question was whether or iiot tlley should discuss the matter in committee, or postpone it, and refer it to the National Ministry. Personally ho had very strong views on the. matter, but they had seriously to consider anything that might cause a disturbance. "Mr. J. Lewis thought that it was timo they had some finality 011 the mattei-. He did not think they would got,any satisfaction from the National Cabinet. They had either to take tho matter up and do something definite, or shelvo it. If the.v did not decide on something definite, another party was prepared to do so.

"Mr. Hill said that, a wrong iinprassion had got about witli regard to the Patriotic Society and his action. They were not attacking Professor von. Zedlitz as an individual; his character had never been commented upon once, but it was a question of principle. Ho (Mr. Hill) had beeii invited by the chairman of the Aliens Commission to give evidence. He did so, and expressed astonishment when 110 found that the order of reference was such that the Commission had to report to the Government whether Professor von Zedlitz ha'd said or done anythihg which warranted Ms internment. Ho said then that the society had never questioned any of his actions, but they did question him 'holding that position. Ho was then asked if he would favour the position being declared vacant if no Englishman was available to fill it? He had 110 hesitation in replying that ho would. He felt that tho Commission was asked to report on something which was next door to impossible to get any ovidence about at all. But a National Ministry had been formed, and as the.v were dealing with the matter from a national standpoint he thought that the society should go as a big deputation to the Government on tlie question, That, he thought, would be better than to hold a public meeting, though he had had numerous requests for such a meeting. He had had a telegram that day from Auckland whicli read: 'We don't want Germans. The public are with you.' They did not desire to do anything that might cause 'mob rule.' "Mr. F. H. MatJier asked what, yoiver tlie Government ]iad in the matter? It seemed to him extraordinary that Professor von Zedlitz should continue to hold his position. "Mr. J. M'lntoah said that one or two had expressed the idea that tho matter should be discussed in committee. _ "A vote was taken and tho discussion was continued in committee. "It was finally decided to adjourn tlie discussion till Friday niglib next, in the meantime) a. committee to wait on the Prime Minister, and report to the meeting 011 Friday. Mr. Hill was appointed to wait on the Prime Minister."

Finally, in making my exit from this controversy,.plight I offer the real Mr. Atkinson a little brotherly (I can't say fatherly) advice? King Solomon or Mr. A. R. Atkinson, or somebody else made the statement that "fools rush in where angels fear to tread," and I would coaanend this very seriously to Mr. Atkinson's consideration, to that it may bo a guide to him for any fntnro controversy. he may bo drawn into. Mr. Atkinson should realise that when he makes a definite statement as to bis opponent's action lie should either substantiate it or act the man and apologise. In conclusion I desire to thank you' exceedingly for the space granted to me, but I feel tlie matter is of very great public importance, and I am satisfied you _ recognise this aspect of, what to me. is, a regrettable affair. Yours faithfully, H. G. HILL. November 2. [We have perused the three letters enclosed with this communication, viz.: (1) Mr. Hill's letter to the Prime Minister bringing under his notice the anonymous letter referring to Professor von Zedlitz; (2) the anonymous letter;. (3) the Pfime Minister's reply stating that the matter would be referred' to the Aliens Commission.]