CRASS IGNORANCE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2807, 27 June 1916, Page 6

CRASS IGNORANCE

Sir,—Words fail mo to express the feeling of contempt I had when I read in your paper an account of a deputation of women to the Primo Minister. I felt ashamed that New Zealand women should beliave in such, a flippant way as some of them did at' a time like the present. Are these women so ignorant that they don't know that the very ground' they stood on was fought for? Yes, v fonprht for by peace-loving men. Many brought thoir brides out from England, intent ou tilling the soil. Don't these people Jmwt "int "*'-« •'* r "H 7»)Iov. »"• <iacTfld

ground? Sacred by the blood that brave men shed in defence of the women and 'children, the old flag, and their homes; made sacred by the blood of the boy bugler Allen, who died at his post, a« brave as did Lord Kitchener. Ibis happened a little over seventy years ago. | and to-day glib women "would, not ini teriera.with a German." Well, I am old. and frail, but 'I would take up a gun tomorrow in defence of the flag my father helped to flutter over New Zealand. 1 thank God my sons have not disgraced their forbears, and if I had tea of them I should expect them to stand up like men and do their best in the cause of right. Now, there is a certain type of 6pineless, jelly-fish order. If you shot: them, or prodded them with a bayonet, they would not bleed. These are the "smugs" that the war does not trouble one felt. They are in New Zealand enjoying peace and plenty, and the nrioe was the fight the old pioneers put up against such odds—no tents, no huts, no cook, no hot food lor them, and what of the mental 'sufferings of the women? All this so that tho children who came after them, should enjoy the peace that they left, home and country to find. 'J'he Jiassey' Government is not doing its- duty: Down in the Islands, when a chief gets "swelled head," or some mental affliction of a sort, the powers just deport him, and I think a good batch could "be gathered in Wellington—some women, a few M.l'.'s, tho worst class of Germans, ami some Red Feds. Personally I should choose White. Island, as' I think tha temperature would suit all parties. When I meet tho boys on leave, just before the last good-bye to all tliat is, dear to them, I could embraco fffeni, and often, as I pass I say "Hoy God guard you. I hope I shall he spared to see the end of tho war, and I feel sure our boys will hang on to the old flag while there is breath in their bodies.—l ann, a "daughter OF THE REGIMENT. P.S.-The biped with "cold feet" who .refuses to fight ojight to be dcprived.'of civil rights.