"BLESSING THE WOUNDS"

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 302, 10 September 1918, Page 9

"BLESSING THE WOUNDS"

TOUCHING ITALIAN APPEAL. At Cormons, the ' day after tho taking of Gorizia, on the Italian front, a poster was displayed, ■in the natioual colours, with this inscription; "Bless tho wounds of the brave Bring gifts and Bowers for those who havd been wounded in tho causo of civilisation." ■ This notice expresses a feeling which ip very general and ' intense throughout Italy, that of respect for the wounded soldier.. Not only is ho taken care of; but he is treated with deference ami held in honour. Relief for tho wouniled is admirably organised: From tho field of battle, where the -wounded man is picked, up with all solicitude and brotherly devotion, to the field hospitals, where ho is given first aid, to tho motor ambulances ■which take him to the railway stations, to tho hospital trains equipped for long journeys, to' the base hospitals, to tho convalescent homes, and to the establishments whoro ho is taught a trade-all these things arc arranged with one end in view, thati of relieving and healing and restoring to normal life those who have suffered for their country. Unfortunately Italy is a ,poor country financially, though rich in men and in treasures of art. Jloney is needod to keep tho well-organised Italian lied Cross working. New Zealand has escaped tho horrors of war, yet she has not failed to realise what these mean to both soldiers and civilians. And the Dominion's contributions in men and money constitute a record. In view of this unfailing generosity towards a good cause, a iiiio response is hoped. for to the Italian Red Cross appeal which is now being made in Wellington. Gooilb for the Ita'ian market should bo addressed to tho "Italian Eed Cross, 'E' Shed, Wellington," and money sent to the treasurer,,J. H. Ilelliwell, Gas Company, Wellington.