THE SPIRIT OF ENGLAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 October 1918, Page 7

THE SPIRIT OF ENGLAND.

EX-NEW PLYMOUTH BOY'S IMPRESSIONS. Corporal Cyril White, an ex-New Plymouth boy, in a letter to liis uncle, the Rev J. H. White, or Brooklyn, Wellington, ami formerly of Rahotu, written from the New Zealand. Convalescent Depot, Horuchurch, gives one or two interesting instances of the splendid spirit of the English people as lie saw thein at tiiat time (June last). Referring to the food question he said that long before general rationing was instituted there were many people who had voluntarily rationed themselves. The system worked smoothly and everybody seemeu anvious to do what they could to help taints along. The work of the people who had taken up plot? of ground under the Oovernment's allotment scheme, with it view to increasing the production, was a gr».it inspiration to soldiers coming over from Trance. The plots were from 5 to 20 yard? square, and every evening people eotdd bo seen busily cultivating their section. He had heard complaints that once a man was got into khaki people's interest in liim ceased. Corporal Wiliite's experience, however, was exactly the opposite of that, and he went on to explain that so far as the colonial soldiers were concerned the people of England appeared not to think anything they could do for them was too mucli. In France he had received letters from friends in England whom, lie had met only when he was on len.ve, stating that the boys were remembered in their prayers, and these things convinced him tliat the people were interested in the soldiers. Corporal White also speak 3 in very appreciative terms of what is done for the soldiers on leave, at the railway stations, -where refreshment stalls are set up at which any soldier can get a cup of tea and a, scone, and the attendants are all voluntary workers. He also refers to the great work of the Y.M.C.A. in catering for the needs of the soldier on lea.ve. Toe boys in the bluo hospital uniforms are specially well treated, people in trains, buses, and at meetings willingly giving up seats to them, "while free trips and entertainments are continually being arranged for them. CorpoTal White mentions visiting his brother Ilorace (also an ex-Nev Plymouth boy) in hospital, and incidentally stated that he was at the time wearing pyjamas made by the Rahotu Red Cross ladiu3.