WANTED—MORE VOLUNTEERS TO FIGHT THE EPIDEMIC

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 49, 22 November 1918, Page 6

WANTED—MORE VOLUNTEERS TO FIGHT THE EPIDEMIC

(To the Editor)

Sir,—Midnight, Wednesday, November ■20, brings to a close the first week of the organised effort to cope, in some measure, with the scourge that is amongst us—a -week that will ever remain, in the minds of those devoted people associated in tho effois) as a nightmare, from which they prayed that the daylight hours might free them—a prayer that, thanks be to God, there is good reason to believe is now being answered. But if the crisis of the battle bo past, as tho medical authorities, who alone can know, tell us, there is all tho more need for continued and ■ vigorous effort. The distribution of nourishing food to convalescent patients who . aro not in a position to obtain that food for' themselves; the care of tho suffering little children bereft of mother or father, or, alas! of both; the reporting to the various district headquarters of eases of need arising out of tho stoppage of work and tho consequent stoppage of wages; these are but a few of tho many activities which need to bo pressed forward vigorously in addition to the organised visiting of the patients that has still to go on. Every district has been calling for more workers; every district renorts .that more, help is still sorely needed. To-night I. realise that my own devoted hand of nurses nave worked themselves to a standstill, but 1 know they will report, with smiling faces to-morrow morning: "Not a bit tired.'" But I know, and I make this appeal through your columns. Sir—not only in my own behalf, but in that of heads of other districts, who, I am sure, will support me—l appeal for more workers to come forward and take some of the heat and burden of the day from those valiant souls who have, fought so heroically during this long, long week. A contrast in scones, Mr. Editor! Last Saturday my own workers were at high pressure from (i a.m. till after midnight. In the jifternoon calls for assist-' anco were,coming in in their scores; and I—optimist though I am—was beginning to feel that because of the dearth of helpers our task was impossible of attainment. My eight devoted nurses (1 have more now) were dead tired when I sent them home a little before midnight. On that same Saturday afternoon, Sir, every court of a well-known tennis club was filled with young men and women, and others were awaiting empty courts all the afternoon, Sir! I may be doin® those people an injustice—if so lam profoundly sorry—but if they were able to play tennis, could (hoy not have found n more noble channel in wMcli to expend their energies? Another Saturday is approaching—are the t"itnis courts going to tell ']"> same sorry tale?

Sir, we have heard much in (ho rust three ye.irs nf "military shirkers." Aic tliero "moral shirkers" in onr midst? Shall it be possible for onr brave soldier boys at (ho front In point the (inner of scorn at ns here at homo and soy: "We went away prepared to give onr l.ves that ynn might, live in freedom, but soni" of you are not prcnared to zive a little of your time to help the suffering sick!"

t appeal to nil who may read these lines and are able; "Enlist, enlist, enlist, and carry on! carrv on!— Lam, etc., WILLIAM FOSTER. Clyde Quay School, November 20.