The Bay of Plenty Times WEDNESDAY, MAY 21st., 1924 AN APPEAL FOR HELP.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LII, Issue 8597, 21 May 1924, Page 4

The Bay of Plenty Times WEDNESDAY, MAY 21st., 1924 AN APPEAL FOR HELP.

Throughout the war appeals were made for monetary aid to provide in numberless ways for the men who were doing the fighting, and since the- war many calls have been made to still give a helping hand where help was needed. It can safely he said that no appeal for a genuine cause has been in vain. One of the earliest, steps taken by men returning from the war was the formation of an association the Returned Soldiers’ Association -—having as its particular object a, lively interest and care for the welfare of the returned man who needed a helping hand. While opinions may have been divided as tc the earlier methods adopted in many directions, such as the establishment of clubs for instance, there can be no difference of opinion as to the real necessity for an organisation of some kind, t(he special function of which is to safeguard the interests of the returned soldier, and it is such an organisation into which the Returned Soldiers’ Associaton has fashioned itself.. It is easily un derstood that although the Government has sought earnestly to deal fairly and justly—-in fact liberally --with every returned man, yet it must stand ever more or less on the defensive, and there is therefore the ever-present risk that unless a man's case is well represented, he may fail to secure that measure of justice tc which he is entitled. In that direction, and in numerous others, does the- R.S.A. render muchneeded and valuable assistance. It is very essential therefore that its existence should not he jeopardised at a most important period in its history, when the Dominion is undergoing a most: important transition from the period of boom and inflation to cue of sane values and solid business. The change over is affecting many settlers very severely, but none more so perhaps than the returned soldier. Banded together therefore for mutual help he is naturally desirous of keeping his organisation alive, but in many districts this is exceedingly difficult). While the Western Bay of Plenty Branch, with its headquarters at Taurasga, cannot plead that its position is desperate, it can yet claim that it is very much in need of assistance. Much money wa9 lost in an effort t!o maintain a club, but, accepting the inevitable, that was abandoned. It left behind it, however, a legacy of debt., which must be cleared off. When that is dene the Association can face the future with a little more heart and enthusiasm. The im propitious weather on Saturday destroyed any chance of raising the funds they sought. However, the delay of a week should ensure a much more generous response to the appeal. It is a debt we still owe to the returned man, and should he generously met.