ANOTHER HOSPITAL SHIP.

Free Lance, Volume XV, Issue 795, 24 September 1915, Page 6

ANOTHER HOSPITAL SHIP.

Cheerful Givers and Selfish Shirkers.

THE Government is to be congratulated upon its ready 'acquiescence in the desire of the War Office that a second New "Zealand hospital sihip should be sent, and His Excellency the Governor, who is running Wellington's Mayor Luke very hard in a laudable rivalry for doing good public services, has been prompt in reassuming, the role of honorary organiser-in-chief. We are inclined, however, to shaire the views expressed by the Wellington "Post" on the question of how the cost of the ship is to be provided. By all means let "gifts in kind" be asked for from a public whic'h, we are sure, will again give cheerfully and generously, but let the Government—that is the State—assume the sole responsibility for financing the ordinary hospital eauipment.

Voluntary contributions in money should, we think, be earmarked for the funds for wounded soldiers and the dependents of the brave fellows who have met their death in the country's and the Empire's cause. If the State finds the direct burden of expense, either in this or in any other work in connection with the war too heavy, then Sir Joseph Ward will simply have to put on his thinking cap again, and devise some new means of raising the necessary funds. Dependence upon voluntary aid means, we fear, that the willing horse may be worked to death, while certain selfish and unpatriotic wealthy men, who have been notoriously backward m coming forward' wzt)h contributions to the various relief and patriotic . funds, wiM, again, give the canvassers the very reverse of a "glad eye."

11l this connection, let us say that the best and wisest suggestion made at the initiatory meeting of the War. League on. Saturday was. that ■"' which came from -that outspoken citizen, Mr. Jack McGrath, who wants, with the least possible delay, a register made of the "individual...wealth of the. country." With this, and the various subscription lists before Parliament and. the country, New Zealanders will have an adequate idea as to who is shirking his responsibilities and who is not.