"PATRIOTISM?"

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 199, 11 May 1918, Page 2

"PATRIOTISM?"

Sir,—Wo hear continually these days of tho demauds of the Second Division; may I point out to them how very fortunate they really tire. My husband was not conscripted, but enlisted early in tho war becnuso ho felt it his duty, and as many other* wives placed similarly I was left with 3s. per day allotment, Is. wife's allowance, and 9d. per day for rny child, averaging about £1 2s. Gd. per month. At that time the Second Division were sitting comfortably back, feeling secure, with only a ronioto possibility of them ever being sent, as conscription was then only rumoured; so they urged the younger mcu to fight for them and talked of "patriotism" and "one's duty to one's country." Little they cared about allownnces to tho wives of the men who were the real patriots, and I am sure, had we relied eu thorn, wo would still have been receiving tho very inadequate allowance, and the older men would hover have thought or cared of the sacrifice wo were making. The Government has now made a great effort to do justice to nil, by the increase since January last, and many women will bo muck better situated than they wero in tho past. From experience I can sav it is sufficient to live on, and in my own case I found no difficulty in obtaining assistance for insuranco from the Financial Assistance Board. For those (and I am one) who find their mcomu much less than when tk>ir husbands wero with them, iet them realise .that sacrifices must be made if the war is to bo fought to n successful issue. .. Second Division, where is your patriotism now? Would you laden your country with n burden too great for her to bear? Don't shelter behind your women's skirts.—l am, etc., | AN UNCONSCEIPTED SOLDIER'S