Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18th., 1934. SERVICES RENDERED.

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 April 1934, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18th., 1934. SERVICES RENDERED.

'J'HE message published, to-day, about the proceedings at the Anglican General Synod, yesterday, contained a reference to “the defects in the social order of New Zealand,” and the need for its improvement. The report sent of the speeches was too brief upon which to base comment, but what little was told appeared somewhat pessimistic, and not sufficiently appreciative of the immense amount of social service, based on the truest Christian ideals, conducted day by day throughout this country. Much of this work is done quietly, and is taken more or less as a matter of course by both doers and the aided, but that attitude does not lessen its value.

The spectacular does not predominate in much of this social service, nor is this confined to direct benevolence. For instance, this week, the nation was given an opportunity to show appreciation of the excellent services rendered by school committees, but, as usual, there was no rush to attend the meetings, despite the fact that the welfare of district schools, large and small, is a matter of great importance, and that without the work by school committees, such welfare would not be advanced. Fortunately, for most communities there are men and women willing to serve on the committees and do their best for the young scholars, despite the apathy of their parents and guardians. This is an opportune occasion to express public thanks, and the lip-service should be accompanied by a resolve to take a practical interest in the district schools’ progress, and to assist financially so far as circumstances permit. The greatest handicap school committees face is not red tape administration at headquarters, but the indifference of parents and guardians. These comments apply to most districts in the Dominion, few committees being adequately supported.

Another organisation doing extremely valuable work for the nation in general is the Returned Soldiers’ Association, which looks after those to whom New Zealand will ever be in debt, but might be inclined to forget, were the R.S.A. not vigilant. It is good news that throughout the Dominion, the R.S.A. continues to flourish. On the West Coast, excellent service is being rendered to ex-soldiers in need, as the report of the annual meeting published on another page, to-day, demonstrates. All the executive do their bit to preserve the spirit of comradeship born in 1

the ordeals'of war-time, but there

are always one or two who stand out, and in Greymouth Mr. McKane and Mr. Ryan are deserving of special mention. Space does not permit reference to all the societies working for the common good in some form or another, but mention must be made of the Greymouth Municipal Band, which does much to add to the social amenities of district gatherings, and has, in its career, won lustre for the town by its musical [achievements. It may now be congratulated —-and coimmended —for having emerged safe from the liabilities which at one time threat-

ened to end the Band’s existence. No greater triumph has yet been won by the Band than this conquest over great difficulty, and those responsible have cause for honest pride. The spirit of self-help exhibited is the Band’s best asset, and must lead to further victories in future contests, to attend which they have won the right for district public support.