A REPLY TO "DIGGER"

Otaki Mail, 4 January 1922, Page 3

A REPLY TO "DIGGER"

To the Editor. Sir, —In your Friday 's issue there appeared over "Digger" a letter of eensure -on those responsible for 'the then proposed sports, etc.. to have been held on 31st inst,. in. aid of the .local Soldiers' Memorial. Being myself, one who knows, the expressions of "Digger," and the feelings of the returned men I beg permission to reply. Naturally, returned men have an understanding in common as regards mattew appertaining to our comrades who "went west," and it gives me pleasure to state that returned men are deeply grateful for what is being done by way of perpetuating the memory of those who are to return no more. Such being the case. I question the right of your correspondent to the non-de-plume of "Digger." This belief is strengthened by the fact 'that that it is not a Digger's tactics to slander in such a manner behind a pseudonym. As to "Digger's" contention that it would be more to the credit of the committee for them to subscribe the balance required the writer happens to know that some of those responsible for the -proposed sports have given most generously right through the war, Loth of their money and time. Bear in mind that Mauakau has contributed something like £IOOO to various funds. We know or should know, what our small committee has had to contend with. Some wouldn't give because the design of the memorial didn't suit them, some because the site of erection did not meet with their approval, while others contended thai a memorial window in Wellington -Cathedral would be more appropriate. 'The writer is still Strongly of the opinion that a public highway is no place fr—'a cenotaph, and know by the ?r.njj[ BK ; :■&•'"•. All "' their to Strive for Had "digger's" letter been a letter of censure on thoso persons whose brilliant ideas landed the committee in the mess they are in, it would have been more just, ana met with more approval. Was "Digger" at the Town Hull on Saturday last to witness the efforts of the ladies' committee that toiled in soaking rain for thirteen hours to avert a loss on the perishable goods? If so, he must admit one thing that if work counts for anything those ladies had a sincerity of purpose worthy of even his commendation. —I am, etc., MARSHALL MILES. Manakau, : . . Janxiary 2nd, 1922.