NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1931 RELIEVE THE DISTRESSED

Northern Advocate, 11 February 1931, Page 4

NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1931 RELIEVE THE DISTRESSED

Registered for Transmission Through the Post as a Newspaper.

The terrible earthquake.which smote Hawke’s Bay last week, bringing death and desolation in its train, has loosed a remarkable flood of sympathy, which has flowed from all parts of the world. The sympathy has not been merely vocal, though, after all, words which come from the heart, bringing solace to the burdened and distressed, are often of more real value th.au money. 'But in the case of the Hawke’s Bay tragedy,, sympathy has been accompanied by practical assistance. Money lias come in with Wonderful freedom. Their Majesties the King and Queen, whose hearts always beat in sympathy with their people in times of joy and sorrow alike, set a worthy example. Immediately they heard of the disaster, they cabled a message which breathed commiseration and encouragement, and they accompanied this expression of their thoughts Avith a cheque for £750. The royal donation is handsome, but its value consists not so much in its amount as in the spirit in -which it was made. The same may be said of a number of other donations from overseas. Not the least noteworthy among the expressions of sympathy from foreign countries is one from Germany, and none but the cynical can interpret President von Hindenburg’s words as other than sincere. It has truly been proved again that one touch of nature makes the whole world kiu. While the world generally has offered practical sympathy, New Zealanders have applied themselves manfully to the relief of their stricken fellows. The disaster has revealed the unity of the people of the Dominion, because from every quarter have come offers of help,\ which has taken the form of personal! service on the part of those able. render it, and generous contributions to relief funds on the part of removed from the stricken area. Iff Napier and Hastings Avonderfnl examples of heroism and self-sacrifice have been recorded. Everybody avlio could assist has done so. Skilled helpers—doctors, nurses and other professional people —have flocked to the area, where they have given of their best. It is an inspiring story, but none is deserving of greater praise than the officers and men of the warships Avhieh providentially Avere able to bo on the scene so early in the tragedy. The bluejackets, after performing heroic Avork, put the coping ■stone upon it by subscribing most liberally to the relief fund. In this way, they emulated the spirit Avhieh moA’ed their King and Queen, of Avhom they are such devoted subjects. They believe that it is more blessed to give than to receive, and they have given oT-their strength and their purse. This is the spirit which should bo fostered among the people of the Dominion as a whole. Their response to the call for assistance lias been Avorthy of all praise, but the number who have given is only a small proportion of the population, and the amount raised only a

drop in the bucket compared with the

sum which will lie required to even make ir possible for mined people to begin again the battle of life. That everybody will contribute —and contribute as much as is within their power—may be taken for granted, for Hie opportunity to do so is at once a privilege and a responsibility. At the same time, there is every reason why efforts should be made to stir the public mind in every Avay possible. If, as a local lady put it to representative, an epidemic'hr giving could be caused in every community,

fho result would bo astonishing. Thoro is sound wisdom in this, it Is not upon largo donations that the earthqualm sufferers must depend for help. Rather is it in the accumulation ol small gifts. This calls for individual giving supplemented by community effort, the success of which depends upon the spreading of the germ of giving. A flue field for beneficent propaganda is at hand; it should he exploited to the utmost by everybody - who, with tongue or pen, can inspire the individuals which make up a community to give freely to a cause the call of which is insistent. We are glad that the citizens of Whangarei, falling in line with people of other towns and cities, have set out upon a systematic campaign of raising funds. The Citizens' Committee, as the administrative head, can do a good doal, but it will depend upon the individuals in the community as to whether Whangarei will give to the utmost capacity. The promotion of an epidemic of giving is indeed something to which everybody should devote himself or herself.