RED JERSEY APPEAL.

Taihape Daily Times, 30 July 1918, Page 4

RED JERSEY APPEAL.

INITIATING THE CAMPAIGN IN TAIHAPE. The adjourned public meeting of those interested in formulating the campaign on behalf of the Red Jersey Appeal was held last night in the Salvation Arm}'- Hall, there being only a moderate attendance. His Worship the Mayor (Mr A. L. Arrowsmith, Esq.) presided. Brigadier Twomer was also present. Apologies were made for Messrs. Emerson and G. Bray. Mr Arrowsmith, in explaining the objects of the meeting, said the appeal was on behalf of the Salvation Army for the Red Jersey Fund, and they had met to decide on a plan, of campaign to put this appeal into a concrete form. This was the first time during the war that the Army had appealed to the people of Taihape for funds to help them carry on their work in the war zone. He could assure the Brigadier that however slender the attendance at the meeting that night, it was not an indication that the appeal would meet with a cool response from the people of Taihape. They could not judge from the small attendance that the appeal Avould not be successful, and instanced the result of the Red Triangle effort from which £730 was raised, and which had as equally as small a beginning as the present appeal. All other bodies that were carrying on war work had been well supported, and he was quite sure the people of Taihape and district would make no distinction in the-Red Jersey Appeal. It had been said that with all these appeals for money coming along it was "getting too hot." Are not our men at the front getting it hot? All that' those who stayed at home were asked to do was to put their hands in their pockets and spare a little to help to mitigate their hardships. He ventured to say that no man in this district had given as much as he could afford. If a man cared to deny himself a little he could provide another pound or two. Taihape people had never failed when appealed to for monetary assistance, and he was positive they would not fail in the present case. It was - the duty of those present to suggest ways and means of raising the largest possible sum. He asked Brigadier Twomer to address a few remarks to those present. outlining, the war operations of the Salvation Army, to assist which the Red Jersey appeal was made.

Brigadier Twomer said the present meeting was sprung as'a kind'of-sur- | prise on him, as that was not the purpose of his visit to Taihape. However. he had the greatest pleasure in enlightening those present on the war operations of the Salvation Army, and which had been connected with patriotic work ever since the war began. It was an organisation which lent itself admirably to work among our soldier boys. When the first British army went to France the. Salvation ■Army went with it, and had been with our soldiers ever since, helping in every possible way. The y Salvation Army commenced its work with the boys from the moment they went into camp, and was to be found in the camps at Featkerston, Trcntham, and Tuherinekau. It. was with them on the transports, and awaited them at Sling and other camps in England. After leaving England it was with them, even i'n the front trenches, to help, to cheer, and to comfort our boys in their trials and hardships. The Salvation Army was working in conjunction with the Red Cross and Ambulace Societies, and had 60 motor ambulance cars to take the wounded and stricken to the hospitals and base camps. The people of New Zealand had provided £20,000, which had been sent to London, and they had six motor ambulances for New Zealand boys particularly. They worked in conjunction with the other philanthropic institutions engaged in this great war. ' The Salvation Army helped the boys in the hospital, to whicih they had a ±':-wo pass, and administered to our soldiers both mentally and spiritually. Not content with looking after the welfare of our boys on the field of battle, they met them in Blighty. Hostels were established in all the great centers. The Salvation Army was the first to recognise the necessity of hostels, and established them to guard our unwary soldiers from the toils of the land sharks, both male and female. Hostels were established at railway stations to meet the needs of soldiers. His Excellency the GovernorGeneral of New Zealand recognised the value of the Salvation Army hostels, and requested to be allowed to open one, when completed in Vivian Street, Wellington. Eeferring to the Red Jersey Appeal, the Brigadier said it was not a Salvation Army Appeal at all. It was an appeal on behalf of the war work of the Amy, was Dominion wide, and was outside the regular work of the army. The amount sought to be raised was £IOO,OOO. The Brigadier concluded his remarks, which were characterised by a breezy optimism, with the following words:— "So long as our boys fight and give their blood, so long should we be glad to pay. We have often heard the phrase, 'the last man and the last shilling,' let this not be an expression of mere, empty sentiment"

Mr Arrowsmith appealed to every* one present at the meeting to join -in and help on the movement, otherwise they would be guilty of the empty boasting characteristic pf our a'Tehenemy the Kaiser. Considerable discussion took place as the best plan of campaign, and several suggestions were made, which will be considered by the committee.

Mr Morrell was appointed secretary. The committee was then set up as follows : Mesdames Scherff and Thackwell (Salvation Army officers), Batt, Shute, Messrs. ArrowsmjSi. J. R. Cunninghaine, Swindells, Davis,;v' Dunbar, Morrell, Rev. Hocking and' Sergeant-Major Forrest.-' 1 - ft'-' The first meeting of the committee- J will be held on "Wednesday evening next, at 8 o'clock.

Brigadier Twomer, in a few appreciative words, moved a vote of thanks to the Mayor for presiding, and the meeting was brought to a close.