THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY MAY 30, 1919. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 30 May 1919, Page 2

THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY MAY 30, 1919. EDITORIAL NOTES.

A Splendid Record In common -with.other similar organ--1 isat.ions throughout the Dominion, the Otaki branch,of the St.*John Ambulance and Red Cross Society has now ceased operations. A perusal -,of the ".summary of ; work done by this most live and useful body of war workers, appearing in our columns of this issue, will give some idea of the magnificent Work done by the ladies who devoted their efforts to this sphere of usefulness during the war. Although this organisation was only in operation for some two years and nine months, no less than 12,332. articles were, made, and the sum of £1352 17s 5d was raised. In addition to this, the ladies also contributed £l7!' 13s in cash and over 3000 articles for hospital ship Xo. 2. It must be remembered, ton, that this represents the activities of but one of (he loeal patriotic organisations. The Patriotic. Society and the Kangiurn Knitting Club have also done excellent .work during the war period. Thus the record of the Red Cross .Society is a splendid - one for a small district such as ours, and is a striking testimony to the whole-hearted and self-sacrificing labours of the women of Otaki and district on behalf of our soldier lads. We have pleasure in congratulating the Society on its really wonderful achievement, "which has largely been brought •yWit by tnc capable administration of its affairs by zealous officers, and in this respect. Mrs H. Witchell, the indefatigable secretary, deserves a special word of praise for the tremendous amount of time and energy she has devoted to this noble work.

Helping Deserving Cases.

AVo feel convinced that tlic general public will verj' soon recognise the wisdom of the Horowkcnua County Patriotic Association in conserving its funds, a? far as possible, with the object that the money should go to those for whose benefit it. was raised, viz!, sick and vronnded soldiers and their dependents. The Association litis wins in for a lot of criticism and disfavour by a certain class of people, who have declared that they kept too tight a hold on the funds, that loans should be advanced to soldiers free of interest, and that the money should be distributed with a more lavish hand. With a small capital—the Association has only about £6OOO i" hand—if the free and easy policy were adopted, the funds would very speedily be exhausted, and there would be nothing left for the many who will yet need assisratice. Xow that the bulls of the sol-

jdiorsare home, applications for help I arc pouring in, and it is becoming in- ; e.rcasingly evident that the AssociaI lion's work has not by any means : ended, but is really only beginning. ! The great difficulty the committee has i to face is the fact that those who ;ire least entitled to assistance are most urgent in their appeals, while the more deserving men refrain from seeking as-. sistance. The Association has very wisely determined not to wait for people to apply for help, but wherever members of the committee become aware of returned men or their dependents being in need of a.helping hand thev are to investigate the ease, with a view to giving the assistance needed. Only by such means can help be given to the most deserving. , At the last meeting of the Association's committee tw-o such eases were brought before the- executive, and in both instances substantial help was accorded. In one of these eases it appeared that a returned soldier was suffering from the

effects of active service, and was unable to work. He had been advised to

apply to a patriotic society for assistance as he could not live on his pension, but was too proud to do so. and

! in consequence was fast using up the • little moaey he had saved with the object of making n fresh start in life. , There are doubtless many smA eases where help is deserved, but will not be sought, and it is the duty of the officers of the Association to find out any such, and lend a helping hand. With such work the Association will doubtless ' have its hands fall for years to come. In the meantime the loaas advanced io soldiers will be gradually coming back. ,and enable the good work r io be continued. "VTe consider the Association has adopted & wiie policy ia.keepisg a

fairly tight rein on its expenditure in the past, but now it can afford to bo a little more liberal in its treatment of deserving cases.