WOMAN'S WORLD

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 292, 29 August 1918, Page 3

WOMAN'S WORLD

(Continued from page 2.)

TRIBUTE TO ITALY

AID FOR THE ITALIAN BED CROSS. A meeting of citizens interested in tlio effort that is being mado in aid of the Italian Red Cross was held in the Council Chambers last evening, tlio Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke, C.M.G,, M.P.) presiding. _ In opeifing the business of the evening the Mayor stated that he had been very pleased when asked to take part in this campaign to assist the Italian Red Cross. He entertained a very great admiration for the Italian people, and b.y means of this campaign the people of Wellington ware given the opportunity of paying tribute to tho heroism of our Ally and her fighting forces. Mr; Luke touched upon some of tho issues that wero involved in this war so far as Italy was concerned, and ended by saying that it was for us to give not only out of our .substance, but to give even though it meint deprivation. Ho. then brought forward the following resolution:—"That this meeting of the citizens of Wellington, called in connection with the Italian Red Cross Day Pund, desires lo place on record its appreciation of the heroism of the Italian nation and their fighting forces which has been displayed in tho great war for freedom and justice, and to express the wish thot the people of Wellington will libe.-ally respond to the appeal on behalf of the Italian Rod Cross."

In seconding the motion, .Mr. 0. B. Morison, K.C., said that those who were acquainted with Italian history knew that though Italy was «ompelled to join the Triple Alliance her heart, was with England. Maz/.ini, Garibaldi, and favour fought for the liberty that Italy partly obtained, and always they looked to England as their friend and sympathiser ill the great struggle to realise their ideal of freedom and unity. That dream of unity, however, was not fully realised, for part of Italy was still left under the Austrian heel, a part that yet maintained its nationality in thought, aspirations, and speech. The ■wrongs committed uy Germany since she entered upon this war very soon showed Italy on, what side civilisation lay, and if she were to be true to herself there could be no other courso open to her but <o take that side which was upholding civilisation, that was lighting for freedom, a cause for which sbe had always fought; Italy bad iio subservient people under her. She had striven t'or freedom herself/ and her present struggle was to obtain that freedom for/those of her people who.by adverse circumstlines remained outside her border, as well as to ob- ! tain freedom for other nations who were in-servitude.

Mr. Hutchosoiij who also spoke, said' that lie did not think that any of the belligerents bad to difficult a task as had Italy. At the outbreik of war sip was defensively allied with the Central Powers, and it seemed an impossibility that she would face the stigma of breaking away from her allies. Not only was she bound and gagged politically and economically, but for years she had been undergoing the German and Austrian policy of peaceful penetration, at which' Germany in particuhr was f.o great an adept. Germany had Italy by the throat, and it was in a supreme effort to be true to herself, to bo true to her ideal of freodom that she finally broke away from her allies. We owed Italy the greatest ff all possible help, although we had minded her the least of all. She was a poor country,' poor in resources, and the war meant untold economic stress and hardship for her people. I'or every reason it was for us to show our admiration and sympathy by giving, and giving gon;rously. Mr. J. P. Firth also emphasised the poverty of Italy as a nation. There was no doubt of the fact that she needed material assistance for her wounded and suffering and that assistance we had it in our power to give. Ho had heard people say: "I am tired of giving; I am always giving." What of our heroes on the battlefield? Were they tired of fighting? Would those who left their bodies on Gallipoli and on the fields of France have said, "I am tired of fighting?" Other people, protesting, have said, "If the cause requires it, the wealth of the country'should be commandeered by the Government." So it should be. if, however, that Government cannot, will not, dare not, do it, should we deny ourselves the giving, deny ourselves the privilege of serving our country. Our Allies were lighting our battles as though they were our own, and their failure meant a hardening of the task for us, was indeed our own failure. A small fraction of what we spent yearly upon amusement handed over for the assistance of our Ally would mean much, and it wouid bo difficult to estimate what an inspiration, what an encouragement such assistance would be, coming from so distant a part of the British Empire, and so significant of sympathy which was ielt for her sufferings.

Mr. M. Carr, another speaker, handed to the Mayor a handsome jewel'ed brooch in the form of an Italia-n flag, to bo used as the Paddy's Market committee thought fit, a gift which wasgreatly appreciated.

Mr. L. 0. H. Tripp (Consul for Italy) also spoks, and pointed out what a true prophet Garibaldi hail been when he said in return for the presentation of a sword, made him at Newcastle, a gift purchased by the pennies of hundreds of working men: "Italy will one day be a nation, and its free citizens will know how to acknowledge all the kindness shown their exiled sons ill the days of her darkest troubles." In 1870 she became a free and united people, and what that meant we who lived in English countries could not realise. Mr. Tripp emphasised the fact that funds were urgently needed for the Italian Red Gross, and he earnestly hoped that when this fact was realised the public would whole-heartedly support the appeal.

Mr. H. L' 1 . von Haast also spoke of the cordial relations that had existed between Italy and England, and of the liking that the Italian had for English peoplo. The resolution was carried. Mr. Tripp further outlined 'all 'the activities that had been or were being inaugurated for the benefit of the appeal. Paddy's Market committee was the main committed, of which Captain Hale-Munro was president-; Mr. Fuller was president of the entertainment committee; Major Sims of the street collection committee. Mr. Tripp also announced that soveral donations had been received, among them being 0110 from the Bank of Now Zealand for £200; £50 from Miss Johnston; £50 from Mossrs. George and Kersley; £50 from Mr. J. Nathan.

A further resolution, put hy t.lio Mayor, to tlio effect that "this meeting of citizens pledge themselves t(i tin all that is possible, to help the Italian Red Cross," was carried.