BRITAIN'S GREATEST NEED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17216, 19 January 1918, Page 8

BRITAIN'S GREATEST NEED

An iDastrated booklet under tho above title has been issued by Dr Baraardo's Homes, dealing with a subject of vital importance to the welfare of tho nation. Britain's manhood is being drained in fighting to preserve all tliat we hold dear. It is our duty to those who have so bravely givon their lives that their supremo sacrifice should not be in vain. Who are to tako their plaoes but tho children? The poster of the early war days was addressed to our men; it is now also addressed to tho babies, a.nd its claim upon thorn is as vital as its claim upon our potential fighting men —your country needs you ! It is of paramount importance to the British Empire that, so far as possible, every child bora within ita limits shall be brought to man's estate. 'Itie work which will devolve upon youthful shoulders behoves us to see to it til at those shoulders are fitted for tho task: that those young lives, are well nurtured, in order that they may have healthy minds in healthv bodies; that they aro trained, in discipline and in resource, to fit them to become the patriotic citizens of t.ho future, imbued with noble ideals and aspirations. There are thousands of children of our bravo soldiers and sailors who aro loft as a sacred legacy to us. These children have lost the necessary parental control. liet us not fail in our dirty towards them.

For 50 years Dr Bamardo's Homes have been doing the work which has boon so urged u>pon us during tins serious war time. During those 50 years Dr Barnardo's rTomes hare talc en charge of 84.000 children, and who can say what, woold have bccorao of those 84.000 if the homes had not given them a fair chance of becoming nsoful, industrious, and God-fearing citizens ?

Ten thousand two hundred and sixty-four Barnardo boys are sei-vintr in defence of their country. One of those lads is thus described by Lord Beaver}itook in his book "Canada in Flanders." "Those wero days of splendid d-epds, and this chapter oannot bo closed without recording the most splendid of all—that, of Sergeant Rickey, of the 4th Canadian Battalion, which won for him the recommendation for tho Victoria Cross." Lord Beaverbrook thus describes Hickey's brave deeds, and concludes: "Tliokey, who was a cheery and a modest soul, and as brave as any of our bravo Canadians, did not livo to receive, tho honour for which ho had been .. rceommonded." • Hiokoy war? a Barnardo boy.

Of forr Anzacs mentioned in despatches for bravery at Gallinoli, three were Barnardo boys. Two of fhope have Ninon framed the military medal. Thirteen rn all have won the M.M., and another has gained tho D.S.M.