THE WAR, ITS OBJECT AND RELEASED GERMANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 November 1919, Page 2

THE WAR, ITS OBJECT AND RELEASED GERMANS.

To the Editor. Sir,—Will you please permit me to malte a. few remarks respecting the above subject. It is armistice time, and one's mind verily reflects upon the many causes leading up to the greatest butchery that has ever happened, and I think that most Britons will admit that there is l not the slightest shadow of doubt that we have been spied on, used, abused and finally butchered aa the result of Kaiser Bill's ambition to make us all Germans, but we are not all Germans More, we hale h'av--1 lng anything to do with Germans. But do wo? I am Inclined to think that we are either soft or insane. Should you ask mo wily, I will tell you that, in conversation with my fellow countrymen I loarn that Germany is indespensible to the world's trade, and that her supplies must find their way to the outside world, even by the influence of agents of other countries, and in a thousand ways all designed to evade the law "Thou shalt not buy German goods." Well now, is it not provoking and is it not enough to make the honored dead turn in their graves to know that they have sevored the mortal coil in this war for the object of their efforts to be brushed aside In one sweep to meet tho ambitions of a few pro-German money-getters that tiro ready always to sell national pride, patriotism and even their country to get rich? In New Zealand we have a beautiful state of affairs Germans have been freed to carry on business (retail and wholesale), of course, professedly with the necessary restrictions re. import ana export, etc., but nevertheless freed, though they were a source of insecurity ancr the subject of suspicion during the war. They are now released as good boys without the slightest sinecure or suspicion put upon them As a British subject born and bred I claim the right to "buck" against tills kind of thing and trust you will be good enough to eive the matter publication. Should vou. Sir consder the matter too individually applied I challenge you, or any man, to prove that It Is other than a national question, and one calculated to create a donl of dissension and bad feeling in our midst, and finally to defeat ha greatest of all feeling of freedom and Justif" that we have all suffered and fought for It is a nlatter that is vital, and reflects badly upon all with power sufficient to eradicate it, and, above all, will create a spirit of distrust in the hearts of British people for each other. When are we going to develop that same character of consideration for Brlthi? r v,e as 'j° German has cultivated for tho German, and a Chinaman for a Chinaman ? It seems to me that we never will I am, etc., DESPONDENT'