SERVICE AND SACRIFICE

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 84, 3 January 1940, Page 6

SERVICE AND SACRIFICE

Once again his Excellency the Governor-General has appealed to the people of New Zealand to have a thought for “the comfort of those who are risking their lives for the safety and liberty of the many who are unable to take an active part in the conflict.” In his New Year broadcast Lord Galway referred to the organization set up for receiving contributions on behalf of the comfort and well-being of the troops while away front their homeland as well as for the welfare of those who leave in later drafts. “Some magnificent individual contributions have already been made,” said his Excellency, “and the scheme for the collection of money by the sale of seals has produced splendid results to date.” This is so far encouraging, but a cause of this kind calls for sustained interest and effort. It is one that should appeal to every individual citizen throughout New Zealand. Our young men who are going overseas .to help in the defence of the liberties, privileges and comforts of existence enjoyed by British peoples throughout the Empire are imbued with the spirit of service and sacrifice. The people on the home front have also their part to play. To them, also, is a call for service and sacrifice.’ As the Bishop of Waiapu, the Rt. Rev. G. V. Gerard, emphasized in a weekend interview given to The Dominion : At present there is an enormous gap between the responsibilities accepted by those of our men who have enlisted in the Forces and have thus accepted the consequent disruption of their lives, and the rest of the community who face at most a few losses or inconveniences. During the last war there was a great deal of overlapping of patriotic effort in connexion with the raising of funds for the soldiers, and inevitable waste. Past experience has led the authorities to devise an organization, independent of the Government, but subject to official supervision for the purpose of the necessary regulation and audit, for the collection and administration of the funds raised in various parts of the country. This will ensure, as his Excellency, expressed it, “that the value of every shilling subscribed will reach those for whom it is intended in the best and most acceptable form.”