SOLDIERS’ COMFORTS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 246, 14 September 1940, Page 6

SOLDIERS’ COMFORTS.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—lf it is treachery to inquire as to what has happened to one's harclearned money, then indeed we must be “traitors.” If, however, the Mayor cares to consult a dictionary lie will find that his definition falls short of the meaning of the word he so extravagantly uses.-I NEST. Palmerston North, 14-9-40.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—Reformers have never been popular as he who runs may read, an persistent criticism of the powers that be can be conveniently construed now as subversive acts. Those who ask pe - tinent questions relating to public moneys are now wildly stigmatised as traitors. His Worship.would do well to watch what England is doing in the»e difficult days. Not so long ago Mr Churchill kiUed and buried ivith all his wonted humour the efforts ota cer tain group in England to extinguish freedom of speech. This. g™ u P la an hysterical moment was given authority to prosecute for rumour. 1 üblic opinion killed these well-intentioned eftoits and Mr Churchill was official headsman. May we at all costs preserve a sense of humour, for therein lies our strength and the weakness ol our on emies. -Yours DIER , S WIF E. Palmerston North, 14-9-40.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—lt is amusing to see how the Mayor threshes around tilting at windmills, and, like the .Duchess in Alice in Wonderland, making the rules up as he goes along. 1 have attempted to follow the correspondence and the l exports of the wonting ot the Womens Patriotic Shop as published m youi paper. I sincerely sympathise with those ladies who find themselves unable to grasp exactly how this shop is functioning as it was originally intended, e.g., to provide a J l ? Ga \* LU ’ < " lor soldiers’ comforts. Even the Mayor and Mayoress do not seem able to agree in their statements about the amount of money raised and lorwaicicd to Wellington, so how can we be expected to have a very clear idea. Contradictory statements have been frequent of late and there is c ' er y reason for the Mayor’s contention that confusion appears to have arisen over the Patriotic Shop. Furthermore, as to the money returned to the city .from the National Patriotic Fund, on September 10 the Mayor is reported thus: “If Palmerston North had contributed to a larger extent to the funds, there might be some justification in saying that tlie cost of the parcc.s should come from the provincial funds,” yet on the 13th he said: “Reimbursements to Imprest Account: Material for parcels, £77 5s 2d.” (Is it not a fact that about £4O of this was spent from this fund for wool for football stockings for the Maori Battalion during the summer they were in the city?) The Mayor will “stick his chin out” and (in vulgar parlance) ask for it to be “socked.” Tn his latest report he says, “I have taken all I am going to take,” yet a few- lines later lie rallies and says, “I think I will let it go. and take what is coming to me.”—Yours, ° tC '’ AMUSED.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —I read at first with dismay, and then with amusement, that the Mayor thinks thero are traitors in this town, if such is the case, of course, the Mayor will be busy interviewing the police to see that they will be getting busy to round up the suspects. According to Chambers’ English Dictionary a traitor is “one who being trusted, betrays; one guilty of treason; a deceiver.” Treason is “betraying of a government or an attempt to overthrow it, treachery, disloyalty.” The dictionary does not tell us that people who write to the Press, seeking information, are traitors, If a soldier’s wife and a soldier’s mother are traitors, then why does husband or son give service to the country in its hour of peril? No, that eliminates the idea that these women are traitors. Many people prefer to remain anonymous in the Press for the /sane reason that they may prejudice one section of the community against another. Their associations or organisations may be subjected to criticism either way. If an anonymous writer through the Press attacks public or business men, it would not be fair, but is it fair for the Mayor of the city to attack women by remarks which are made public without giving the women an opportunity to be heard at a public meeting? I would suggest that the Mayor aud Mayoress call a public meeting of all women in the city and give them an opportunity of expressing their opinions without interruption and at the same time give the information which has been politely asked for. The last public meeting of women called by the Mayoress was attended by the Mayor who would not allow sound resolutions or questions to be brought before the meeting. Let us have free speech in our country. That is all many loyal women in the city are asking for. Thanking you for space, when paper is so valuablo and assuring you that I am a loyal citizen, although for the time being preferring to remain ANONYMOUS;