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New Zealand Listener, Volume 12, Issue 296, 23 February 1945, Page 5

Sir,-I read the letter from T:C. on this subject, and then read jit again to make sure I had understood it correctly. Within an hour, I had a call from a young friend of mine who had landed

five hours earlier in the day from a troopship from the Middle East, so took the opportunity to show him the letter. It is a pity T.C. could not have heard this young soldier’s description of him. The letter in question is very fine support for the oft-expressed opinion that we in New Zealand do not know there is a war on. People like T.C. can have no idea that we are engaged in a terrific struggle against a relentless and merciless. enemy, and that many fine young New Zealanders are giving their lives in the cause. They would feel well rewarded to know that the struggle they are engaged in is of less importance to 75 per cent of the people in the Dominion than racing. I think T.C, understates the percentage-it should be 100 per cent, but not 100 per cent of the people of the Dominion, but 100 per cent of his friends. Like attracts like, and no doubt he is basing his statement on the views of his friends. Racing has far too many privileges in wartime. It serves no good purpose, and is only permitted in wartime because of the powerful influence of a small section of the community. I know that there are what is known as patriotic meetings, but when carefully examined, there is very little patriotism in them, and they certainly would not be held if a few people did not stand to make a bit off them. This statement could be easily proved by holding a race meeting where no betting-tote or otherwisewas permitted. The meeting would not, pay five per cent of the expenses. Patriotism covers a multitude of. sins, and racing is one of them.

M.E.

R.

(Wellinston).

(This letter has been slightly abridged. We have received several others in the same strain.-Ed. ).