FOR THE STRICKEN.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 25 November 1925, Page 4

FOR THE STRICKEN.

It is with mingled pleasure and sadness that we commendi to the notice of the public an appeal made elsewhere on this page by the Waimate West Ladies’ Patriotic Committee. Every Christmas for seven years, past the Indies of Mannia and district, have made a special effort to bring some extra ray of seasonable happiness into the lfves of the soldier patients in the Hawera Public Hospital, in Porirua Mental Hospital and in the Blind Institute at Auckland. When it is known that there, are now more than fifty soldier inmates of Porirua alone, the field for the Work of providing Christmas cheer will bei apparent. As the ladies point out, this is not a matter of caring for returned soldiers; the 'Government- does that. This is a chance to show the sorely stricken that the people outside have not forgotten them. To be on one’s back in a hospital ward while the war was on was not' altogether an unenviable plight; and to come home a cot case, when the bands were playing, the flags were

waving, aiuli the people were cheering, had its compensations. But now there is no war; now the bands do- not play, nor the people cheer. Hospital life has lost its appeal, and would easily become burdensome were it not for the wonderful buoyancy of spirits which most of the soldier patients display. , Nothing can. better assist in maintaining that buoyancy than some expression of public sympathy with the men, of interest in their cases. It has been charged against the people of every century in our British history that they have soon forgotten those who bore the brunt of their fighting. We in this generation do not forget pray God we, never shall!—but too 'often our, remembrance is negative. Sometimes, if only once a year, we might allow our actions to bear witness to the feeling in our hearts. Thanks to the lead given by the ladies of the district, the people of the Waimate Plains area have this annual opportunity; and) the response in past years has proved the warmth of their hearts. With the ladies ’ committee, we are confident that help will be given again, gladly and liberally, on Tuesday next. There can be few who will not wish to share in this noble service of "sending into each [soldier’s] life a wee thanksgiving offering of good cheer and- love.”