Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY, JUNE 1 1917 A WORTHY APPEAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY, JUNE 1 1917 A WORTHY APPEAL.

The local branch of the Overseas Club which is doing such excellent work in connection with patriotij matters, continues to expand its energies. At tha Town Hall on Wednesday night, before the large audience assembled there, some particulars were given of a week-end appeal tomorrow for the Royal Flying Corps Hospital. The request for assistance has oome from London, originating from Sir David Henderson, Commanding the Royal Flying Corps. On behalf of the Overseas Organisation throughout the Empire £IO,OOO has been promised by August next for hospital facilities and accommodation for sick and wounded airmen, and in the present week end appeal the local public have opportunity of subscribing to this noble purpose. It appears straDge that a matter of such moment should be left to private benevolence, but such is the case, and thousands of pounds are now being raised in accordance with the promise made. The expansion of the' Royhl

Flying Corps and its increasing work necessitates additional hospital and recuperative quarters. It can be well understood why a special institution ie required for our brave airmen. Tbeir progression is a dangerous one, and it can be easily understood that at times there must be serious smashes with grave injuries, while the nerve racking experiences which are passed through in high altitudes naturally indnoe serious bervous' complication?. Highly specialised treatment; is requisite to save life end limb or to restore the men to good health and farther usefulness in their intrepid calling. N o sacrifice could be more dangerous than that undertaken by the bird-men la every ascent they risk their lives, and their devotion to duty to the point of self-sacrifice places a claim on the nation which can never be repaid in any monetary way. To see that hospitals are equipped for them is indeed a small matter, and tha fact that the nation is not doing this spontaneously without the call on private generosity, is as was said at the Town Hall the other evening, somewhat of a reflection on the administration. However, the moment the position is ascertained and understood it is but proper to set matters to rights. The Overseas Organisation at Home in agreeing to find £IO,UOD within a few months tank the right course, and we are quite satisfied that the appeal

to Britishers overseas to discharge this liability will net be made in vain. The people of this district will have the opportunity and the pleasure of contributing to this fund to-morrow and Monday. It wiU, certainly, be a pleasure to subscribe to so laudable an object, and contributors will, we are sure, feel that they are discharging a personal obligation to some extent in promptly assisting the fund. It is fortanata that these is such an organisation as the Overssas spread over the Empire to take up this national work. The membership of this great patriotic society is now in tbe region of 150,000 people, and at sneb a moment these folk will not be appealed to io vain. The ganeral public also have a duty to discharge in this matter, and there is room and neid for all to help. The time is short, and the occasion hurried, but that should not stint the liberality of this community, aod we hope as a result of tbe week-end effort that Hokitika and district will figure not unfavorably in this worthy patriotic appeal,