RED CROSS COUNTRY FUND.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 46, 19 September 1918, Page 4

RED CROSS COUNTRY FUND.

The list of amounts subscribed to the "Twenty Pounds Donation" effort as published in yesterday's issue is pleasant evidence of sincerity and determination on the part of our coun- ' try friends to do their portion towards earnest and worthy appeals in connection with the Empire's fight for right and liberty. The service and sacrifice of our boys in this mighty struggle have been .so great and heroic that one stands too overcome for words, in contemplation thereof. So far as New Zealand is concerned the sacrifice made by our soldiers overshadows all other considerations. Indeed a comparison of the conditions of living of the soldier and' civilian faring to mind the words of Shakespeare and prompt us to say of the soldier to the civilian that he is: "One that cares for thee, Commits his body to painful labour "Both by sea and by land, "To wa'tch the night in storm "The day in cold, "Whiht thou liest safe at home "Secure and warm." The utmost service which the civilian can render cannot remove the obligation under which the former rests, nor can we compensate the soldier for the opportunities he has lost while fighting for us, nor, alas, for the loss in many instances of health and phy-, sSc'al fitness. In some degree we may assist in the alleviation of his sufferings, and when the opportunity offers we should gladly, promptly, and in a humble spirit, embrace it. Such a spirit was manifest in a letter re r ceived, by Mr C. Walter, Chairman of the Country Committee, and read at yesterday's meeting. The portion refered to read as follows: "Mrs "and myself hill increase our subscription to £so.—Apparently money "is greatly needed in England for "our sick and wounded soldiers. Wishing you every success." The Red Cross Society is a mighty organisation entrusted with vital and important duties. The cost of carrying out its>| work is very great and the Country Conimittee determined to make an earnest appeal to settlers for substantial aid, hence the campaign for donations of twenty pounds and over. The response at, this early stage is certoinly gratifying but settlers should regard it as a privilege as well as a duty to contribute. We congratulate the Country Committee on the support accorded their appeal and the settlers on their response.