"OUR DAY."

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17284, 27 September 1916, Page 6

"OUR DAY."

No doubt the people of Canterbury are preparing to do their full part next Friday in connection with the " Our Day" movement throughout the Empire. Quito a number of citizens aro already down for subscriptions, some of them substantial, but the great bulk of the contributions have yet to be made. The street collections on Friday, we imagine, will eclipse all previous efforts in results, and when tho whole undertaking is completed tho Canterbury district may bo expected to account for a fair share of tho Empire's financial tribute to the sick and wounded soldiers. The collection* is being made in this wide fashion to commemorate the second anniversary of the amalgamation for war purposes of the British Red Cross Society and tho Order of St John. This great combination is performing a service to humanity that any words of ours could but very feebly express. We shall not attempt to paint the lily. It will bo more pertinent to mention that the financial needs of the organisation, always inadequately provided for notwithstanding tho impressively largo sums that have been given, are far greater now than ever during the period of the present war. Wo are informed that the funds required just now are alnrnt nino times as great as they wero in the first year of tho war. This opinion is supported by a very simple calculation. A year or more ago the Red Cross Society really needed its funds to bo trebled, and since then the casualties hare increased in number about three-fold. We do not profess to vouch for the absolute accuracy of this arithmetic, but every intelligent man and woman must realise that the demands have exceeded supplies from tho beginning and that this state of affairs has grown at a progressive rate. The fierce fighting in which the Allies are now engaged, happily attended by practical results of great value, nrust inevitably swell the casualty lists and make imperative a vastly increased expenditure upon Red Cross work. Mr Bernard Tripp, while visiting England recently, after carefully investigating tho organisation there of the New Zealand Red Cross, wrote to his Excellency tho Governor in terms of high praise of what is being accomplished. The "Our Day" appeal is, of course, for the Red Cros* Society in general, but we mention Mr Tripp's letter in ordor

to say that he emphasises the financial needs. "As much money as possible is always wanted," be says. "No one need bo afraid of sending too much." And so wo may pass on to our readers that excellent advice. There is no more deserving organisation in tho wide world than tho Red Cross Society and none more urgently in need of financial support. No individual in Canteibury need bo afraid of giving too much towards tho district's share in the " Our Day" manifestation of gratitude to sick and wounded soldiers.