THE ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3161, 13 August 1917, Page 6

THE ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL

AND THE CARE OP SOLDIERS' DEPENDANTS. (To the Editor.) ■ Sir,—As one amongst your many readers who has taken some interest in reading the pros and cons in connection with the proposed Anglican cathedral, I will, with your kind permission give my humble opinion. To begin with, I would say that I cannot see the need of an extra church or cathedral at present, as our Auglican .churches in Wellington are rarely, if ever, overtaxed or over-crowd-ed with worshippers at any time,, and I think that to propose building even the nucleus of a cathedral to perpetuate the deeds and daring of our brave and loyal manhood is ridiculous. It is not a cathedral that we need to memorialise our heroes, but a home, liberally endowed by public subscription, to provide for many unfortunates, who, alas, will return maimed and unable to take up their old callings in life. Also for the children of fallen soldiers, who may in the meantime have lost their mother. What would become of a- family of young children—father killed, their mother dead from any cause? Even with the pension voted by Government for their maintenance, who would take the entire charge of these little dependants and rear them so as to become future good citizens ? 1 can only say that to allow a fallen soldier's children to become inmates of any charitable institution or foundling home would be, a slur on the honour and dignity of our little Dominion. We have pointed with stern finger at evep* eligible man the "duty" ho owes his country to go forth and defend it. We who stay behind have ours, too, and we must not be slackers or shirkers either. The dependants of fallen soldiers and returlied crippkd, and ofttimes homeless soldiers, have an especial claim upon our protection, and they must not be treated, as paupers, but as honoured guests of the State. I would suggest that the many thousands of pounds that it would take to build a cathedral be raised to build and endow a home for those who need our care, and love,' and protection. I feel sure that could any dying soldier have a choice of seeing a fine cathedral in our midst, and built mostly from money so urgently needed for more practical purposes, or a home where his loved ones would at least be able to live with selfrespect that lie would not liesitate a moment in favour of a "Memorial Home" for those Jie left behind. The children, especially, of the soldier arc a valuable national asset, and as such must be carefully treasured. I, and many with whom I have spoken on the subject of the proposed cathedral, would willingly and gratefully give our offering in the interests of our soldiers' dependants, whereas we would not contribute to a fund to provide another church in our midst. I also think that the dedication of such a practical memorial as T have briefly outlined, to the glory of God would be very acceptable in His sight a - *! would he much more in keeping with the precepts of our Lord's teachings than in draining the -oiiblic purse to build a cathedral in which to worship. Let not the cry and claim of New Zealand victims in this terrible war go unheeded, "For inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my - children, ye linve done it unto Mo/ Jfav I ask your able and ever-ready help in espousing the "cause" and,claims of these helpless ones referred to. and point out "our dutv" to our honoured fallen heroes? Thanking you in anticipation for the space afforded me, —I am, etc., PRACTICAL. Wellington, August 11.