Sir, - A short while ago, my wife and I were driving North. She remarked: "Now we are entering part of that so-called British Commonwealth." I said: "No, not yet . . . another 10 to 12 miles." Silence, and then came an outstanding remark: she said, with great flourish, "I've got it! Why not the WISE Islands: Wales, Ireland, Scotland and England?" I shouted: "Great! Write that to the papers! It's the best I've ever heard."
Now is the time, yes, now. If we have any intelligence in our Governments, let us form our unity and co-operation. We have played a very important part in the building of that conceitedly-named Commonwealth - in relation to our numbers, far greater than that other sister. We know one another, and we speak the same language.
As a unit we are nearly self-contained. As a group we have a long, very intelligent and indeed a noble Celtic background, when we sent civilising influences all over Europe. We had a code of ethical behaviour equal to Egypt and Greece, in the remotely ancient centuries.
Now, for God's sake, let us get together and be an example to the mad world. Let us be worthy of being called the Wise Islands. It's late, but I believe we could still make it, especially if our religious influences stress ethical behaviour, rather than dogma. - Yours, etc.,
Millicent House, Sallins, Co Kildare.