Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1915 A SECOND HOSPITAL SHIP.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8250, 22 September 1915, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1915 A SECOND HOSPITAL SHIP.

It is very satisfactory to the public of New Zealand to learn that the hospital ship Maheno has proved so helpful in the humanitarian work for which she was equipped, and the appeal of his Excellency the Governor for funds to provide the necessary hospital requirements of another similar vessel will probably meet with as generous a response as in the case of the Maheno. The suggestion that the public should be j asked to subscribe for purposes of j this nature met with some opposition when it was first made, and' now that the extent of the war taxation is known there may be i similar objections raised. But he will be a poor patriot, and entirely lacking in human sympathy, who declines to recognise that it is both a duty and a privilege to help in such a splendid undertaking. The Imperial authorities have declared, according to the circular we have received from his Excellency, that the provision of an additional.hospital ship would | be "a real and substantial help, land would be eagerly welcomed." The good work that the Maheno has been able to accomplish is shown by the statement that in one period of eight days she had dealt with 2000 casualties. The 6ame procedure with regard to fittings and furnishings ,will be followed in the case of the Marama (the vessel to be hired for the purpose) as obtained with the Maheno. The Government will pay the cost of hiring, fitting, and maintaining the vessel, and the public are asked to provide the goods outlined in the Governor's circular (which is printed elsewhere). All articles must be in Wellington by November 10, so | that it will be necessary for the i local societies which intend to provide Ashburton's quota to make an early start at organisation. We will be glad to receive and acknowledge subscriptions for this very deserving object.