THE PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11280, 25 January 1900, Page 4

THE PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

We hope that some common understanding will be arrived at among those who have charge of the various patriotic funds that are being raised in the colony so liberally to reserve an adequate amount to be devoted to the necessities of such members of the New Zealand contingents as may unfortunately return crippled for j life, or deprived of the means of following their ordinary avocations by reason of their wounds. A sad sequel to overy campaign is the miniI ber of disabled soldiers who are discharged from the army minus an arm or a leg. These men are terribly handicapped in the struggle for life, and their lot is too often one 'if misery and privation. The young New Zealanders who are now at the front fighting for their Queen and country are exposed to all the risks of death and permanent injury inseparable from the soldier's calling. Three of them have already lost their livds, and the probabilities are that before the British flag flies over Pre-

toria many others will be so sever** wounded as to practically disable them for life. While the generous spirit of liberal giving is in full play some provision should be made for meeting cases of this character, so that later on when gentle peace once more settles on the land we may not have to reproach ourselves for leaving the permanently maimed and crippled of our gallant contingents totally unprovided for.