OTHER PEOPLE’S BUSINESS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 43, 18 September 1916, Page 7

OTHER PEOPLE’S BUSINESS.

(To Thk Kditou *TttATKOHD Tost.} Kir.—On my return from Ireland a short, time ago I was informed that in a letter signed “Loyalist,” appearing in your issue of 20th January hist, tin' writer was very anxious to know why a passport was granted to a young man that worked in the Stratford District who was going home to see In’ s mother who resided in Ireland. There is no doubt this letter referred to me. The writer of the letter says to get a passport on the grounds that I was going Home to see my mother is a frivolous excuse. Firstly “Loyalist,” from his own mouth, has no parental regard, and secondly I would say ho would L-e

a poor specimen of a loyalist and useless'as a soldier. Doubtless lie was well aware some time previously that 1 was going home, and why did he not write then through the columns of your paper, instead of appealing to the authorities as he did when 1 was gone from Stratford, and sign his name to the letter. No, “discretion is the better part of valour” ; respect for his skin appealed to him forcibly and tins is our loyalist in bis true and natural colours, who has courage only when any likely trouble is removed to remoter puls. Let the Stratford people see the stuff our correspondent is made of: Picture him in the trenches when shot and shell are flying. Do you think he would be of any use? A thousand times no! A tAan of his calibre would be an encumbrance where brave men are required. Urgent private business and a request from my aged mother to pay her a visit called me to the land of my birth. I have attended to my business and have returned. “Loyalist" can see me anytime he wishes, , but I am afraid he has no such desire. His nom-de-plume is a refuge of safety of immense value to him. I can safely say f have no fears of meeting him and further, though he lias chosen a hiding-place 1 will not ever he ambushed. —1 am, etc.. .1. O’BRIEN. (Our correspondent assumes a great deal in his outburst anent an ancient letter which appeared in oui columns and in which no one in particular was mentioned. Air O’Brier was by no means tbe only young mai to leave New Zealand at tbe begin uing of 1916, but he apparently chooses to think so, —Ed, “Stratford Post.”)