TO THE PEOPLE OF TAIHAPE AND DISTRICT.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3645, 4 December 1920, Page 8

TO THE PEOPLE OF TAIHAPE AND DISTRICT.

You are probably aware that at a publicily convened meeting of the people of tills district it was unanimously decided to appeal for funds fcr a Soldiers’ Memorial in Taihape. What the nature of the memorial shall be depends mainly upon the flnnancial result of the appeal. One feature, however, was decided

upon by a majority resolution carried at the meeting referred to, viz., that the memorial shall be purely monumental, and that none') of the money subscribed shall be expended on any work of a utilitarian character. The main factor influencing this decision Avas the telling appeal made by the Returned Soldiers, who feel deeply that a memorial to perpetuate the memory of their ■ fallen comrades should be of such a character as to promote feelings of the deepest reverence in the hearts of those for whom the supreme sacrifice was made.

The memory of the men from this district who met death in all humility

find said ‘My Country! Here is my life; take it that others might live In Freedom!” is already enshrined in the hearts of the people. Time, however, renders memory’s impressions less distinct as the years roll by, and already a new generation is gradually replacing our own. Let us, therefore, while our grief is yet / hot, and tears si ill scald the checks of mothers aii(j fathers at the memory of their lads who died so nobly for their country's cause—yes, anti for God’s cause — build to their lasting memory a monument that will symbolise the solemn cvoronce wc have for the lads “Gone West,” Lot our effort bo worthy of ourselves, and the result, as nearly as we can make it, worthy of our hou ourod dead.

The committee sincerely hope ,tha( every member of the community will bear a share in the cost of the mem orial. To the poor and to the children who feel the desire to be associated with the movement let mo say that oven your pence, given in the true spirit of reverence and gratitude will bo accounted as great, as the larger donations of others; for* it is the spirit more than the gift that counts and it is desired that none shall he denied an opportunity of contributing.

To those more fortunately situated financially, let me appeal to yon to give liberally. .’Remember it is for a memorial to our boys who will never return. When they made the "Supreme Sacrifice” for us they difi not ask "Can I Afford It?” They gave their all without a whimper. We, who are left to mourn their Toss arc not asked to give our all. not even or our possessions, much less our lives, but do lot us make this offering in the true spirit of reverence and gratitude, and with such liberality as will ensure the erection of a fitting memorial to bur dead heroes. As organiser of the movement I shall endeavour to see as many of the residents of the district as possible, but I would ask those who wish to help, and I am sure there will be none who will refuse, not to wait, but to send their contributions either to the Treasurer, Mr J. R. Cunninghamo, Taihape, or to myself. Yours faithfully, S. F. REID (Organiser).