AN APPEAL FOR THE MINESWEEPERS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 17064, 17 August 1917, Page 7

AN APPEAL FOR THE MINESWEEPERS.

(To the Editor.)

Sir* —kE should like to draw the attention of you? many readers to the urgent necessity of assisting the sbove. Quoting from "Chart and OoMipafls," the official organ of th* British and Foreign Sailors' Society, June 1917, the Bishop of Kensington, during his description of an IS hours' voyage* fn pne of H k M. storeships, says, "I saw by my own observation what England owes to the Navy and mine-sweepers. I saw four going slowly along followed by others, just snapping up all that filth and rubbish that has been sown there by that dastardly enemy. And no battle-ship, or any other ship can go in safety till that bit of sweeping up has been done. Do not ffcrget the boys with the mine-sweepers. I venture to say there is Eothing finer th the British Empire—these men upon the trawlers-, the mine-sweep-ers and patrols round the English coast/* When word was received recently that/ our last reinforcements had arrived safely at their destination* many a prayer of gratitude and thankfulness to God was offered np, and we believe if the need were kne-wn, many a father, mother, bro-1 ther and sister would avail themselves of the opportunity of showing their gratitude to our protectors in responding to the appeal of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, for warm woollen comforts for "Those that go down to the se* in ships, that do business in great waters." Branches of ths G. fend S\ Sailors' Society are found all over the world. Their work does for the sailor what the V.M.C.A. does for our soldiers, ifoney or kind, viz., tfo&rres, jnitte, sex, "woollen ringlets, etc, will be gladly received if left at the W.C.T.tt. Red Cross room, Wanganui Bast (Fridays) or with Mrs. W. J. Andrew, Mackay Street. Cases are now bein«j packed in Wellington by our N.Z. Superintendent for "Work Among Seamen," aad we would ask for a generous response on behalf of. those who work so silently, and who so willingly make the supreme sacrifice for our liberty. In return let us give even to sacrifice which is our reasonable service. On behalf of the W.C.T.TJ., yours, etc., ANNIE DUXFIELD, President.