CHRISTMAS IN THE TRENCHES.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 September 1915, Page 4

CHRISTMAS IN THE TRENCHES.

HAMPERS FOR THE SOLDIERS. , A SCHEME FOR NEW PLYMOUTH, • Christmas is gnly a few months away and in thoughts of the festive Reason I one at once thinks of the men in the trenches and of the thousands of New Zealanders who will possibly spend Christmas in the 1 trenches" on Gallipoli, or, if the fortunes of war direct other- - wise, will no doubt be "somewhere in Europe" still fighting for the Empire, To' remember these soldiers is the desire of everyone, and the Mayor of New Plymouth "(Mr. J. E. Wilson) wishes to ascertain the desires of the puoiic as to what is the most suitable way in which the people of New Plymouth can help, to make Christmas a time of gladness for the soldiers. In conversation with a Daily News reporter yesterday, Mr. Wilson fa'd that he thought New Plymouth should do something in tin way of sending Christ-, mas hampers to the New Plymouth troops. He has heard that two local ladies—Mrs. Hugh Baily and Mrs. D. K. Morrison—were arranging to send a Christmas hamper to the New Zealandera at the Dardanelles, and while the idea was a highly praiseworthy qne, Mr. Wilson thought something should go to tile men from the people of New iPiy.. mouth as a whole. "If the boys received a hamper from the town in addition to the one arranged by i these ladies, I don't think they would complain that they were getting too many good things, so there is no reason why both .ideas should not be carried out," added Mr. Wilson. "It does not need much imagination to picture the strange conditions under, which tho soldiers will spend Christmas, and I am sure everyone will agree with me that we cannot do too much to brighten Christmas for t'hom. Gifts of cigarettes, tobacco, pipes, choco. lates, cakes, etc., will be most welcome to the men. Very generous hampers could be sent without a large expenditure, and rather than drain any of the local funds I would suggest thaf a special fund should be started, and I will be prepared to accept donations at once if this idea appeals to the public."* Mr. Wilson added that if the scheme;were to be carried out no time should be lost, as the hampers would have to b« prepared and despatched by the beginning of next month at the latest. The Taranaki Diily News offers its ready support to the suggestion of the Mayor—a suggestion which should immediately meet with a generous response from the public—and we, will be glad to receive subscriptions at this office lor th« Mayor's fund.