LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3134, 12 July 1917, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

NEW ZEALAND'S DUTY

Sir,—lt was with surprise and regret that I rend in your Saturday edition tl-o remarks oi Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward. "This country has done remarkably well, better than nnv of the other overseas .Dominions, and "the time mil come—l can't say when—when it may not to possible to let any more men go." In tho first place, is it wise to draw comjiHrisujiri between this Dominion and other British Dominions? If if. is, then may not Britain itself draw unfavourable comparisons between what 6he herself has done per hundred of the population sin:l what New Zealand has done on Uo same basis, and, if so. I am very much afraid wo should fall very short indeed. "We do not 'include the Territorials, Cadets, etc., as Sir .Tames Allen is so fond of doing to try and prove his case, as all fit have or will be taken by Hie ballot. To my mind, and T think to many others, it is the place of New Zealand to keep tho bill' rollyig. and not play tho same of the shirker by expecting America to fight for us, whilst we keep our own men at home, which seems to be the oniniou of Sir Joseph Ward. Many families have two and more out of their family circle, aiid many like myself have our only son at the front, but because, as it appears to me, the Second Pivis'on men are bediming to squeal, the heads of the Government think it is time to stop sending reinforcements to those who are, and have been, doing their bit.

Who would suffer if Tlnwlnnd and her Allies were defeated? ('"rtuiniy not the Old Country, excent in the way of indemnity- Tt would be her colonies, mid first and foremost Australia and NV.v Zealand. Tf this is true, I conclude Ty saying it is up ajainst us to continue to protect our homes, and not to expect tl>« Old Country to find the money upon which we exist, and fight our battles by laud and sea.—T am, etc., FIGHT TO A FINISH.