DADDY LONG LEGS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1810, 6 April 1918, Page 3

DADDY LONG LEGS.

(To the Editor). ' Sir. —It is not often that Foxton is favoured with such a high-class performance as was put on last night, and the people of Foxton were not slow to take advantage of seeing something out of the ordinary, and as a result had two happy hours of delight. Now, you people who thus enjoyed yourselves, did you give one thought of the boys at the front? Did it strike you that while you were so free and happy, men had actually died for you so that you could continue to be free —perhaps 10, perhaps 100, perhaps 500, perhaps more, had actually been killed during those two hours. And what deaths, too! All through violence; deaths through rendering of flesh and smashing of bones, or by the more horrible gas or liquid fire. Ah! and how many were wounded for your sake? What ghastly wounds, too. Yes, and what about the others; fighting and fighting (no 8 hour day with big wages), until too weary to stand, so utterly tired out, that they sleep where they fall; fighting day and night, and day and night against tremendous odds, facing death every second, amidst horrible sights, nauseating smells, and nerve-rack-ing noise, through mud and slush, wet and cold, and conditions we have little idea of? Why? Because they consider it their duty; and they are doing it nobly! Are we doing our duty to them, or are we utterly selfish? We need not be downhearted, and they would wish that we were happy; but cannot we do something more than we have done to reward them now? Most have given freely to the wounded soldiers’ fund. But should we wait until they are wounded? Encourage them, keep their hearts and their health up now, and they are not so likely to get wounded; for a lowspirited man does not care much what becomes of him, and cannot take care of himself properly. Don’t bother what other people are doing, or what they are not doing. Your duty alone concerns you. If they ceased to fight because they thought we were no( doing our share we would be slaves of Germany to-morrow. Subscribe to the war fund by all means; that will guarantee their pay. But what about the things which mean so much which the authorities do pot, and could not, supply? The hot flip of tea, or coffee, a hand-shake and “God bless you!” just before going over the top; and the chocolate to keep them going afterwards, or perhaps while lying wounded in No Man’s Land.. Then the hot drink and a, “snack” immediately,on. returning, dead heat. The thought-of-this has enabled many a man to struggle, back to safety. Then the huts of cheer, of entertainment and relaxation so necessary to hearten (he boys up.. The Defence authorities have authorised the Y.M.C.A., and such-like organisations, to undertake these duties, and it is all done by voluntary contribution. Won’t you give something to get a few of these boys a hot cup of coffee in their extremity; perhaps the last thing some of them .will get in this world? W.e have plenty of “sports” in Foxton, too; well, be sports! You have often put a £1 or more on local horses, now put £1 or so on Fighting Boy, and you will get the most satisfactory “divy” you ever got. Remember, it is all or nothing the race he is contesting; and he needs all the backing we can give. If you can’t give, pray; but if is befter fo bofh gjyis pud pray. — I am, etc., X-HATS.