PATRIOTIC APPEALS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 189, 22 July 1940, Page 4

PATRIOTIC APPEALS

Sir, —Every one in this town, as in other towns throughout the country, is prepared to do his or her part When it comes to patriotic, affairs, and particularly to donate to pat-, riotic -funds. That has been amply, demonstrated. But I think it can be overdone. Organised appeals are to be expected and will meet with a response worthy of the country, but they should be spaced so that too heavy a burden is not plaeed on the already over-loaded taxpayer. That, however, is not my chief complaint. I am referring specifically to the 'copper-, trail*, conducted in the Strand on Friday, ahd Saturday morning. It should be realised 1 by the people responsible—no doubt sincere and 'doing their bit'—that one can havp too much of a good thing. To ask; is reasonable; to demand, verges on rudeness and in : one or two oaseS on Friday afternoon and evening was definitely insulting. It was very nice to sec the co-operative spirit displayed by children in assisting in the collection, and doubtless their assistance was. extremely, valuable. But children, do not know when to stop when it comes to asking for donations or the purchasing of tickets in raffles and on a number pf occasions their persistency would have been better rewarded with one of the old timeslappings. Friday and Saturday gave : them an opportunity to give free rein to their impertinence and juven ile w r it, but what a pity that the 'copper trail* could not have been conducted bj r adults, and conducted by them with a little less of that 'push' which they might possibly have considered so jolfy and entertaining, but which, has had the effect of determining some citizens to button up their pockets should like trails be held in the future. It was .a .worthy effort spoiled by too much 'worthiness.' Yours etc.' PAl^otic.