"THE BRIGHT SIDE OF THE WAR."

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3853, 3 December 1917, Page 2

"THE BRIGHT SIDE OF THE WAR."

ADDRESS BY MR F. NORRIS

At the Criterion Theatre last night a very interesting lecture on "The bright! side of the war, and will you help to make it brighter" was given by Mr F. Norris. The meeting was presided over by His Worship the Mayor, Mr W. J. Towers, who briefly introduced the speaker.

Mr Norris upon rising paid a high compliment to the town for the great number of men that; it had; sent forth to the front. In proportion to its size Paeroa was second to none in the Dominion in thisl respect. He gave a racy sketch of what has been done throughout New Zealand to make the war brighter for cue men, and appealed strongly for the V.M.C.A. and Salvation Army Social Halls, which institutions are doing such good work to make the army life bright at the front. He described what had been done in Prance and England and appealed strongly for us to do all wo could to help our men back into civil life, suggesting that a training college should be started by our Government to enable the men to learn useful crafts and industries in order that they could lead \iseful lives and become prosperous citizens. A resolution to this effect was passed at the meeting, and the member for the District will be asked to do all he can to get the same established. The speaker then delivered messages he had received direct from the men in camps, briefly they were:—That we ought to help all we can in the homes of our men while they are away. Help them to get back their positions on their return and to see that war orphans obtain a good education and taught some useful craft, industry, or profession. He also appealed to all to help the Empire by buying British goods.