War and War Scares

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 148, 8 June 1935, Page 6

War and War Scares

(To the Editor). Sir, —I read with interest Mr. Hamilton’s letter to your paper on “War and War Scares.’’ 1 also read the first and second replies of J. B. Yorkist. J.B. seems to have quite missed the points which Mr. Hamilton’s letter expressed, which were: 1. The futility of war. 2. The financial benefits armament firms reap from unfounded rumours of war.

I do not think any sane person can deny that war entails just as much physical and financial loss to the victors as to the vanquished. In referring to military training, I think Mr. Hamilton meant to convey the opinion that young men of all countries would be better employed giving their support to some measure for preventing rather than preparing for another war. Finally, in calling Mr. Hamilton a Communist (a word which J.B. seems to imagine is a term of personal abuse) he quite ignores the fact that every ratepayer and user of the borough water supply is subscribing to and approving of an institution which is Communistic in principle. J.B. does not seem to bo aware that quite a few Communists still sing “God Save the King,’ - which, however, is not the sole attribute of a loyal and useful citizen of the British Empire.—Yours, etc.. FRASER McLEOD. June 7. 1935.