AMERICAN TRIBUTE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XII, Issue 1269, 27 September 1919, Page 7

AMERICAN TRIBUTE.

TO BRITISH MERCHANT SEAMEN.

FOR ENDOWMENT OF HOMES

on Ihe announcement of the opening of the campaign for America's Tribute In British Merchant Seamen, which h-is for ll* object the raising of a lar-e sum of money for Ihe endowment of homes for disabled seamen, and !•» cement Anglo-American relations, and to bring to the attention or the people how important it is for Ihe future (hit Great Britain and the United Slates stand flrmly together as a bulwark or protection lo civilisation, liberty and progress. Rear-Admiral W. S. Sim'', now stationed at Newport, who was commander or Ihe United Slates Fleet in Europe during Ihe war. gave his official approval lo Ihe project. \v heading the American Committee. Mr John \V: Davies. American Ambassador to Ihe Court of St. .tames, has endorsed Ihc project as follows: "I am deeply gratified to learn that a movement is on fool in America to raise funds for Ihe endowment of Ihe Convalescent Home at Limpsfield an-l ror homes for aged and inlirni British seamen and their wives.

"II is eminently proper that practical recognition should he given in this manner of the lasting debt which America and the civilised world owe to the men of the British mercantile marine for Iheir gallant and heroic service to the Allied cause. There is no more glorious page in Ihe history of the war than that contributed by their bravery and self sacrifice in Ihe face of known and constant danger, all Ihe more terrible because it could be foreseen. Thiy made it possible to transport the armies of Britain and the United Stales to France, and to provision them when (here. They kept Ihe commerce of the Allied world alive and brought n»t alone munitions to Ihe troops but. food and fuel lo the peoples of Ihe Allied countries. They are Ihe men who defied and defeated the base iniquity of Ihe German submarine campaign, and it is not too much lo say that without their brave devotion the war could nut have been won.

"l wish you all mcer'HH. therefore, in Ihe laudable undertaking in which you are engaged, and congratulate you that i! has been set on fool." Admiral Sims said recently of the work or the merchant marine:— "Without the merchant seamen the army and navy would have "been helpless. What the merchant marine did in Ihe war will go down in history .is one or Ihe nation's greatest achievements."

Sir Edward Nicholl, R.N.R., M.P.. and Admiral Lord Beresrord have appointed William 11. Appleton, or Ihe SI. Regis Hotel, chairman or Ihe American Committee. Local committees are being

appointed in all parts of Ihe country. The homes which are to be opened (or the benefit of infirm British seamen or dependants of seamen who have given their lives in service will also be op;n to American sailors who may fall on evil days in Great Britain. The movement will be internationally co-opera-live in scope, as England and Canada have also started similar campaigns. The fund raised in this country will j»e America's tribute.

Melbourne men who complain of the cost of fitting out their wives for a Melbourne ("up mcctiny; will feel ashamed of their parsimony when they compare the cost of dressing a wife for the Melbourne Cup with that of dressing her for Ascot, remarks the l.ii| t «|oii corres|*>ndcnt of the Age. The expense of Ascot, which is always high, has I wen increased this year l>y the reign of high prices in the shops, and by the fact that Royalty announced its intention of attending the four days of the meeting instead of two, which was the maximum in the pr.st years. There is no limit lo what a foeiety woman can in dressing for Ascot Week, with its riot fit entertainments in addition to the racing, hut the following prices represent a moderate estimate of the cost of dressing a wife for the four days of the racing - :—-Kour frock*, at L'l*> to £7O each: wrap. £-10; parasol. £l.l to £'2 ft : four hats. £'2«» lo £.'«» each: pair of sin de shoes. £•»: four pairs gloves. 20-. to #>- each. No wife who has ativ rrspect for her husband's position—and ail wives are more keen in keeping up their husband's position than husbands themselves arc—could dress for this year's Ascot meeting much under £4OO.

"I wish to make a slight protest against Ihe manner in which the Government demands ils pound or flesh from returned soldiers." said Mr E. .1. Howard at the tw-Un-z of the Repatriation Board at Chrislchurcb, commentins.* upon the fact thai soldier applicants for sections in the Avonhead settlement had under the regulations to be present at the ballot, with Iheir half year's rent, in the event of drawing a section, the penally of non-compliance being forfeiture, lie quoted the case of a man who hail wailed about all day. but had left the building under the impression that the ballot was nnl to lake, place till Ihe following day. The ballot, however, proceeded, and the man drew a section while he. was absent, but forfeited it because, he was not present. Mr A. W. .Tamieson, chairman of the hoard, explained that lie ha.| taken I lie case up and was attempting, he believed, successfully, lo ife| the young man settled. Mr A. F. Drayton said Ihal il was a scandal that IA2 men should have been kept hanging around the Lands Department office Tor two .lays with their rent in their hands. He could not see any efficiency in methods like that