A SERVICE OF DEVOTION.

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 20, 8 February 1937, Page 6

A SERVICE OF DEVOTION.

For tbose privfieged to see it tbe demonstration of life-saving provided at Napier yesterday by an Australian team of surf-swimmers waa sOmetbing of an eye-opener as to what can be done by tborougb training and perfect organisation. Everything from tbe call for assistanee to tbe application of resuscitative measures moved witb tbe preeision of cloekwork. It is not, of course, to be assumed tbat, in actual practice under less favourable conditions, matters always run as smootbly, go smootbly indeed as to suggest tbat little danger to tbe saviours is involved, In many instances sucb is not tbe case and very grave risks have been taken in tbe saving of tbousands of lives by tbe organisation to wbieb tbese young men belong, It is not, however,' for tbe perfection of methods to which they have attained tbat admiration is called for. Mucb more of applaiise is due to tbe spirit tbat bas stirred tbese young fellows to tbe undertaking of tbeir splendid and not seldoui beroie service to tbe community to wbieb tbey belong. It is one wbieb is entirely voluntary and gratuitous and which entails a very great deal of self-sacrifice on tbe part of tbose wbo perform it. Tbey are young folk just as mucb entitled as tbe xest to devote tbemselves to tbe many alluring pleasures and diversions of tbeir generation. But, to keep tbemselves fit and to be constantly on band when xequired, tbey bave to deny tbemselves very many of tbese. Yet we are told tbat tbey ibeet with very little in the way of practical recognition from tbe public, or even from most of tbose wbose lives tbey may bave saved. Like otber self-imposed services, tbat of tbe life-savers of tbe beaches bas come to take on something oi a matter of course for wbieb no mark of gratitude is due. So mucb is tbis tbe case tbat tbey find themselves without tbe funds for providing and maintaining tbe necessary equipment. All tbis, too, is applieable to tbo like local organisations tbat are springing up in our own eountry, and it is bigb time tbat tbey should receive mucb fuller public appreciation and support tban bave so far been aecorded to them.