FOR SOLDIERS' CHILDREN

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 297, 4 September 1918, Page 4

FOR SOLDIERS' CHILDREN

The fund whioh'has been established for the purpose of providing educational facilities for the' children of our soldiers deserves the whole-hearted support of the-people of New Zealand. The intentions of the promoters were fully explained to the Hon. W. H. Herries and the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald by a deputation on Monday. The Ministers were asked to grant railway and postal concessions' in connection with the appeal,that is being made to the general public, and other forms of Government assistance were also suggested. The Ministers spoke most sympathetically ot' the scheme and promised that the proposals of the deputation' would receive every possible consideration by Cabinet. Me. Mac? Donald stated that the Government recognised the duty that- the State would owe for all time to the dependants of those who had fallen in action on behalf of New Zealand and the Empire. This duty is so obvious;and so imperative that it hardly needs to bo pointed out. It will take many forms, and one is to adopt measures to- enable thechildren of our soldiers to make a good start in life. No one in these days oan be regarded as adequately equipped for his life-work unless he has received an education which will give him a fair opportunity of making tho most of his capacities. The purpose of the Trent-ham Scholarship Fund is to provide this educational equipment for soldiers' children. Tho people of New Zealand may bo relied upon to mako n. liberal response- to an appeal for such an admirable object. To such an appeal' no man or woman who realises what the Dominion owes to its soldiers can turn a deaf ear. The Government will, of course, give its help. Dr. Anderson's suggestion that the Government should give a subsidy' to supplement the amount raised by voluntary subscriptions is Eo reasonable that its adoption might almost be taken for granted. If the fund meets with the success it deserves the expectations of the trustees should bo fully and prompt ly realised. ■' ' 1