LONELY SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 220, 11 June 1921, Page 9

LONELY SOLDIERS

Sir,—l send- you a letter which was sent to my son by the military authorities, and forwarded by him for me to read. In the letter to me my soldier boy says: "Mum, the old military machine has got a heart after all, and I feel better because of it. I do not know how we are going to have friends at Pukeora, but if we were able to beat the Germans surely this matter can bo fixed.” At least one mother’s anxiety has 'been lessened by tho action taken, and because of other people’s goodness to my son I do try to lie good to other lads. —I am, A SOLDIER’S MOTHER.

[The letter enclosed is the official one recently sent to soldiers in hospital asking to whom progress reports should be sent, and whether they have friends living near the hospital.]

Sir,—When I was a member of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force I was wounded, and spent a considerable time in hospital, and therefore I can appreciate tho action which tho Defence Department is now taking. Speaking as ono who has been through the mill, I can assure your readers that if the highest in the land went round the hospitals and shook hands with every man it would not do the same amount of good ns for a person to como along and say, "Bill, I have como to see you, old boy, and I want to know how you are. getting along." It is the man-to-man business which does the soldiers good.—l am, etc., A Jjlvvrrju.