TO THE PEOPLE OF TAIHAPE AND DISTRICT.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3658, 21 December 1920, Page 8

TO THE PEOPLE OF TAIHAPE AND DISTRICT.

You are .probably aware that at a publicity convened meeting of the people of this district it, was unanimously decided to appeal for funds for a- Soldiers’ Memorial in Taihape. What the nature of ( the memorial 'shall be depends mainly upon the Hnnancial 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 nondi of the money subscribed shall be expended on any work of a utilitarian character. The main factor influencing this decision was 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 and said ‘My Country! Here is my life; take it that others might live !n 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 still scald the cheeks of mothers and fathers at the memory of their lads who died so nobly for their country’s cause —ye‘s, and for God’s cause —- build to their lasting memory a monument that will symbolise the solemn reverence wo have for the lads “Gone West/’ Let our effort he worthy of ourselves, and the result, as nearly as wc can make it, worthy of our honoured dead.

The committee sincerely hope tha-t every member of the community will ' bear a share in the cost of the menu I orial. To the, poor and to the child- i ren who fee] the desire to be associated with the movement let me say that even 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 be denied an opportunity of contributing. To those more fortunately situated financially, let me appeal to you to give liberally. Eemember 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 loss arc not asked to give our all, not eveh or* our possessions, much less our lives, but do let 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 our dead heroes.

As organiser of the movement I shall endeavour to sec 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, net to wait, but to send their contributions either to the Treasurer, Mr J. R. Cunninghame. Taihape, or to myself. Yours faithfully, S. F. REID (Organiser).