The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, May 20, 1915. SPECIAL EFFORTS AND SELFISHNESS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1400, 20 May 1915, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, May 20, 1915. SPECIAL EFFORTS AND SELFISHNESS.

There Is a growing feeliug that certain forms of pleasure should be abandoned during the progress of the war as a mark of respect to the memory of those who have fallen in battle. We have not much time for maudling sentiment or hysterics, but agree that our thoughts and pleasures should be in keeping with the great national crisis. Unfortunately many goodmeaning people are seized with a spasm of gloom only when some disaster threatens or hits them. They then go to extremes, and throw cold water on every effort which has for its object the raising of funds tor the relief of the distressed. But are such people really consistent ? Do they torego their pleasures ? Do they practice self-denial in order to contribute to the various funds made necessary through the war ? Would to heaven that people would contribute to the several funds in a spirit of self-denial. But they don't, and in order to squeeze money out of them a quid pro quo becomes necessary. Hence fairs, carnival queens, balls, etc. The means justily the end. It is strange that no protests were raised against previous efforts at the time when thousands of British sailors and soldiers were being killed and wounded. Are we indifferent to the feelings of the bereaved in the Old Land and the lands of our allies ? We mourn the loss of our own brave New Zealand lads, and our hearts go out iu sympathy to bereaved wives, mothers, and sweethearts throughout the Dominion, but don’t let us be selfish. Rather let us redouble our efforts on behalf of all deserving funds to alleviate suffering and distress by whatever means, with cheerfulness.