ARE WE DOING SUFFICENT?

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 158, 10 December 1914, Page 3

ARE WE DOING SUFFICENT?

To tlie Editor. Sir, —I read with pleasure your artic'.o in this morning's issue, and trust it will have the desired effect. Are we doing sufficient? This is a question each one of us might well seriously consider. I am afraid the answer must be No. I have heard people remark in a very self-satisfied way, "We have done very well," and appear content to let the matter rest. I am convinced these peo- l pie have not given the question serious ; thought. Removed as Ave are by thou- j sands of miles from the scene of con- \ flict, our view is naturally somewhat ob- jj scured, but a little thought should make 'j out duty plain. I consider this is a j time when every person in this Dominion must be ; r.v; v.l to inaK > 11 i-iuri-fice worthy the name. Those who cannot go to. the front must be prepared to make that sacrifice in money. The amount that has been subscribed to the various funds so far is only a mere tithe of what the people of this favored country can afford. I do not think you could find one man who would honestly state that any subscription lie might have given could be called a sacrifice. It lias not debarred him from following his usual pleasures, or enjoying' his usual comforts. Compare the sufferings of the brave little Belgian nation with what we have suffered here. Our suffer-1 ings consist of a small monetary loss. ' What pen can describe the sufferings of the Belgians'? It is hard to write it, but I have seen people turn aside when asked for a shilling for Belgian relief. What if the, Belgians had turned aside from the course she considered her duty ? One is almost afraid to think of the. consequence,s. Brave little Belgium! It in up to Xew Zealanders, as sons of that great British Kmpire to which we are so proud to belong, to make, a sacrifice that will cost her something more than it has iqi to the present.—l am, etc., PHILIP SKOGLUXD. Stratford, December Sth, l'J 14. ]