Greymouth Evening Star. TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 1944. OUR BROTHERS’ KEEPER !

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 June 1944, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 1944. OUR BROTHERS’ KEEPER !

DESTRUCTION is featured so often in the daily news, that it may bring relief to reflect occasionally on the construction planned when peace returns. Many ambitious schemes -are being discussed, tlio magnitude of some problems being such that a solution must be left to experts, the man-in-the-street not being qualified to help. There are some avenues of aid, however, open to all, and one such is Allied Nations’ AVeek, now being held throughout New Zealand. Appeals have been made in Press and by radio, and few can be ignorant of the special effort, or question the necessity for huge relief being granted to the harassed people of the United Nations. AVhat the Dominion can do will be small compared with the requirements, but every national contribution will help. Few countries have been less, hard hit by the war than has New Zealand, and gratitude for this good fortune should inspire generosity to those nations less happily placed. Whilst there is unanimity that the Allied Nations’ appeal is warranted, there will be differences of opinion as to whether the holding of a special. “Week” is the best way of doing the right thing. It will be difficult to arouse similar individual or community enthusiasm for the cause of foreign nations, as is forthcoming for the Dominion’s own soldiers or Avar-sufferers. Further difficulty is caused by the competitive nature, of the special appeals for each country. Some lands are getting more publicity than others, whose need may be even greater. This seems an instance where the circumstances would have been best dealt with by direct grants from the State. Ministers are in a position to know more than are the general public the extent of each nation’s need, and which should have preferential treatment or priority. A generous grant from the national exchequer would enable all to share in the gift, seeing taxation would be the source of the money, and there would be less scope for anomalies and rivalry. Meanwhile, those who appreciate the efforts and sympathise with the ordeals of the distressed nations should demonstrate these feelings in practical manner.

. Another post-war matter of special interest, this week, is the National War Savings competition, in Which prizes are offered for the best essays submitted on the method of utilising national savings when peace comes. This is another mattei about which it is difficult to arouse popular interest in some districts, whilst in others there is almost hostility to the whole affair, allegations of waste being made. If in a multitude of essayists there is found wisdom, the competition will have justified itself. In any case, it gives the people the opportunity of submitting their own ideas. Presumably, the constructive merits of the proposals outlined will appeal more to the judges than the literary standard of the essays. National savings are reaching huge totals, and have been considerable check on inflation. The contrast is further emphasised between New Zealand which throughout the war has had additional wealth and prosperity, and those lands in which the people have saved or retained nothing but their lives, —and millions have not been able to do even that.