For the Soldiers

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVII, Issue 21528, 15 December 1939, Page 6

For the Soldiers

TO-DAY’ citizens of Timaru will be given their * first chance to show appreciation of the services of the men who have volunteered for the Special Force. The Flag Day, organised by the Timaru Committee of the South Canterbury Patriotic Committee, lias been arranged at short notice, but with an appeal carrying its own commendation so clearly minute organisation would surely be superfluous. The object of the appeal is to provide comforts for the troops, and it is obvious enough that there are many ways in which funds can be used for the benefit of the men in camp, many of whom will soon be leaving their homeland for service overseas.

Throughout the Great War there was a spectacular response to appeals such as this, and the need to-day is just as great as it was then. It is true that the public attitude to the present war is less demonstrative than it was in the early stages of the Great War, but the vital spirit of the people is just the same. There is a task to be done; it will be done, and those who have chosen the most difficult service of all are as highly thought of as the gallant men who went away to make history in 1914. There are ways in which appreciation of the sacrifice of the soldiers can be shown, and a simple way is for the response to the Flag Day appeal to be as liberal as possible. This is the first demand made upon the voluntary generosity of the public. 1 oung men from Timaru have already contributed all that they can offer in the cause. It now lies with others to show that they rate this sacrifice at its proper worth.