RED CROSS NOTES.

Taihape Daily Times, 4 September 1918, Page 4

RED CROSS NOTES.

Art Union tickets are "being sold very rapidly and tlxe prizes offered seem to be just the articles to inspire lovers of speculation to risk a shilling. Many others also give their shilling because the work of the Eed Cross Society, is so urgent at the present moment and no one misses a shilling or two in this prosperous land. Some people say the 'Government ought to take the work of the Red Cross on its own responsibility and tax the whole. community for it. Yet the astonishing. fact is that in no part of the Empire, nor in any Allied country is this done. All agree in leaving it to voluntary labour and subscription. The national question is why? The answer is:—(1) It is better done by voluntary labour than by the State. There is no soul in the State. (2) It is done cheaper. There are no perquisites in a voluntary organisation for political gaftera. (3) It is good for the people to have an outlet for patriotism that is immediately concerned with army needs at the front. (4) It relieves the State War Departments in a time of great congestion. (5) There are as many people attempting to dodge taxation as there arc dodging voluntary contribution.