NELSON DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9795, 19 October 1917, Page 3

NELSON DAY

To the Editor ,T XZ. Times.” •Sir, The Xavy League desires all citizens who have flagstalfs to arrange for the flying of bunting on Saturday, October 20th, in memory of Xcison. it was the spirit- of seif'denial and demotion to duty with which Lord poison imbued those under his command that enabled, onr brave sailors, over 100 years ago. in the face of years or hardship, to blockade the enemy and keep the seas open for commerce. It is tho self-same ‘‘Xolson spirit ’ permeating our Xavy to-day which has enabled tho Grand Fleet and auxiliary craft to ensure the transit of our produce and enable the war to he successfully carried on by the Allies. As a moans of strengthening our national fabric, tho coming generation should have theJo facts continually impressed on their minds.

Surely ©very adult should realise, and every child he taught, that each act of wastefulness and laziness from day to day is indirectly prolonging the war, and is clearly dishonest to thoso who are fighting for us. As compared with other parts o! the world, Now Zealand is wonderfully prosperous just now as a result of tho very high prices which, thanks to the Navy, are being obtained for our produce overseas. Farmers’ demands for top prices, requests for higher wages, _ and the granting of war bonuses (quite apart from unreasonable “strikes”), not only further increase the cost of living generally, but go to show a sad want of appreciation of the spirit of national self-denial so largely practised by our enemies, and without which our side cannot hope to win the wan promptly and effectually. Our brave sailors, in their ceaseless watch at sea, and our valiant soldiers on knd are certainly doing their part by cheerfully suffering privations and ungrudgingly giving their liras to ensure our safety. Are those bare facta not sufficient to forcibly bring home to each one of us a rigid determination to emulate tho ‘‘Nelson spirit” and gladly take our fair share of tho hardships of war?—l am, etc. C.IV.P. October ISth, 1017.