A MEMONTOUS QUESTION.

Hastings Standard, Issue 309, 29 April 1897, Page 4

A MEMONTOUS QUESTION.

[To The Editor.]

Sir, —There is a stern reality staring us in the face face from which there is no getting away, try as we may, and at present there seems no silver lining among the cloud. We read and hear on all sides of the mobilising of vast armies, and having them placed on a war footing and fully equipped and prepared for any emergency that may arise. We also read and hear of the despatch of vast armed cruisers and battle-ships to rendezvous at certain places ready for active service. To-day we read of Kussia, France and Germany intrigueing. Every small matter directly points to a great European struggle shortly to take place. That our Mother Country should not be embroiled in the great drama soon to be enacted should be the earnest prayer of every peace-loving subject of our vast empire. Nevertheless it is our duty one and all to be fully prepared for any emergency that may arise. I feel morally certain that if the bull dogs of war are let loose and if Great Britain should have to take a part in the conflict Lord Nelson's great war cry shall again resound. " England expects this day that every man shall do his duty," and trust me it will be done again without fail. Now, Mr Editor, for an emergency of this kind that will surely happen, much as we wish and pray that it may be adverted, we must try and keep our forces concentrated. All our men, both young and old, must be kept at home in their houses in this far oil dependency of the British Empire, ready at a moment's notice to give all the aid in their power to our Mother Country in her extremity. Now I wonld wish seriously to impress it on the minds of every one that cold winter is now fast approaching and it stands to reason that we must have big and warm fires in our houses if we wish to keep our fighting men at home watching and waiting for the signal that England needs help from her far-away children. I would still far more seriously wish to impress it on the minds of all that no fire w T ill burn without filling the house full of smoke if the chimney is dirty. If the house is full of disagreeable smoke the men and youths clear out and are not on hand at duty's call. Friends be not traitors to our Queen and country; avoid the dire catastrophe of a smoky house, and j have a visit from J. M. Campbell or ! one of his brother "confreres" and they will make home something worth living for. Thanking you for valuable space. — I am, A:c., Patriotic. Hastings, April 27, 1897.