23/11/16
My dear Father
It is nearly 3 weeks since I last wrote, but of course you’ve had any news going. Now that Mary and Baby have gone I must try and write rather more regularly. I hope their journey today was made in fair weather.
Mails have come in rather better lately and are now about up to date. Stormy weather and other upsetting influences interfered with traffic I fancy.
It is evident that the food factor is going to assume more obvious importance in the war now, and I hope the government measures are in time and sufficient to cope with all eventualities. We couldn’t see this thing through with a discontented populace. On the other side a certain degree of relief is assured by the captures in Roumania, and the next result appears to be that the swaying balance will take longer oscillating before it settles irrevocably in our favour. I think it quite probable that the changes in Austria will be temporarily in Germany’s favour – it will become during the war, if not after, a Prussian province.
I had a letter from Norton a few days ago. He is still with his ambulance and doing very well, very dissatisfied with the American election.
I was very sorry indeed to hear of Lewis Sparrow’s death, he was one of the best type of Badsey gardeners.
Are the local tribunals exercising more pressure now? The problem is to make better use of women on the land, and it seems that farmers as a class are showing their usual inelasticity, no doubt practical difficulties arise but I don’t think every effort is being made to solve them.
Work continues heavy, but this month the high level has not increased so I hope it may actually fall before long.
You will be rather a small party just now. I hope a little change will be good for Ethel, and freedom for a time from her many self-imposed duties.
With love to you and the girls.
Your affectionate son
Arthur
PS – Will you please let me have Cyril’s address.
