A NATIONAL DEBT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3987, 21 July 1915, Page 2

A NATIONAL DEBT.

The increase in the prices of necessities is seriously affecting orphanage_s and similar institutions in EnglandWhen it is stated that for food alone the nett advance per average family amounts to os -Od per week in the Old Country it will be seen how this increase must handicap the great work carried on by Dr Barnardo s Homes, in which are sheltered nearly eight thousand children. In normal times the food bill of these famous homes costs about £250 every day, and it must be borne in mind that about a thousand of the children are sick and ailing, blind or crippled, and therefore require special care and feeding. Dr. Barnardo’s Homes, too, are very keenly concerned in the great war from another point of view. Over a thousand “old boys” arc known to lie serving their King and country in the Royal Navy, tlio Army and the Canadian contingents. They have played their part in the naval engagements, “Barnardo Boys” having served on tlio Agarnemmon, Argyll, Aboukir, Crcssy, Carnarvon, Formidable, Hawke, Indomitable, Lion, Loyal, Natal, Princess Royal, Shannon, submarine E 7, and the Undaunted. One young fellow lias been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, another had a thrilling experience when the Niger was torpedoed, remaining in the water for two hours beforo being picked up by a friendly craft A young giant Gft sJiu who was interned in Germany but gained his release through the American Ambassador, gives an interesting account of Ins imprisonment which lie moderately describes as “harsh.” He and Ins companions in misfortune “slept on straw which was none too clean, and were as closely packed as im the hero of a ship. Cocoa and broad were supplied for breakfast and supper, soup—with a niece of moat if you were lucky—was served for dinner. This big “Barnardo Boy” lost 4st. in weight and then turned at 19st! The Homes are so familiarly associated with child rescue work that the following figures dealing with relief and mission work may come as a surprise to many sympathisers. During a period of twelve month 682 boys and girls were temporarily housed, fed and clothed, and 826 were sent to situaturns or restored to friends. In tlio same period tlio homes supplied 30,273 free lodgings and 92.324 free meals; rescued 185 girls and young women from evil lives; gave garments and boots in 67,000 cases, and distributed 389 hospital, dispensary and convalescent. home letters. To support a work like Dr. Bernardo’s Homos is as patriotic a duty as subscribing to war funds and Gisborne residents will have an opportunity of helping the Homes on Saturday, 24th, when Mrs Andrew Graham will organise a street collection in their aid. If apology were needed for this appeal it is given by an Australian newspaper in the following words:—“ln war and in peace, in boom and in slump, Great Britain owes a national debt to Dr. Barnardo’s Homes. Eighty thousand young /citizens have already been plucked from evil and had their faces set towards good by the same agency. Wo of the Empire must keep the flag of these Homes flying, side by side wivn the Union Jack.”