THE WOUNDED SOLDIERS' RELIEF FUND.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 May 1916, Page 7

THE WOUNDED SOLDIERS' RELIEF FUND.

A SPECIAL APPEAL, Sifj—Taranaki lias justly been specially mentioned by the Minister of Defence as a district which lias answered splendidly to the call for men -since the war began. Some few months ago the record was that Taranaki, wit'h a twentieth of the population of the Dominion, has sent away a tenth of the men who had enlisted. The contributions to the Wounded Soldiers' Fund, however, do not at the present time reflect credit upon those who are accepting the sacrifices of the men who have gone out to fight. Notwithstanding the prosperity of the country and towns, it is unlikely that there will be more than £40,000 available for the purposes of the fund for the whole of the Taranaki district. How far that sum will go it is, of course, impossible to say now, but taking the number of Taranaki men who have gone and will be going it is almost certain that there must -be a very great number of soldiers and their families who will need the help that the fund i 9 intended to give. That help will be needed, not for a year or two years, but for fifteen or twenty years, and perhaps longer; that is the opinion of those who are administering the funds in the Dominion. There are some who believe that when moneys are wanted they will be willingly given, But past experience has shown that in matters of this kind the public memory is a short one. If our people will not give now they will never give, and I am convinced that ail appeal in, say, five years' time vrouid be a hopeless failure.

There are others who say that these moneys should not be provided by voluntary subscription. I heartily agree, but it is too late now to alter the method. Too much money has been given in New Zealand under the voluntary system to leave any hope that Parliament would authorise taxation for this purpose. For the past two or three months speeial efforts have been taade in otiher parts of Taranaki to increase the amounts held by the local committees. The New Plymouth Committee's fund is the only one for the district from and inoluding Bell Block down to the boundary of the Egmont County on the coast. Wo liave now between £SOOO and £6OOO in hand, with the Herald and Budget Fund, and the committee is endeavoring to increase that to £IO,OOO. The country centres are taking the matter up heartily, and local committees are actively canvassing for contributions. It is proposed to publish the figures at short intervals, so tliat the public may see how the barometer stands and help the glass to rise to the ten thousand mark. This is an appeal to the people in and about New Plymouth. Very few of us, save the fighting men and tiicir families, have made any real sacrifice. We are fortunate, indeed, that we are able to carry on our usual lives and occupations, and if we are not called upon to give personal service we can at least do our part to ensure that the men who fight for us, and their families, shall not be left without that reasonable comfort which is their right. I am confident that the people in and about New 'Plymouth can readily find the amount which the commitee asks for, and I trust to a cheerful response to thi9 appeal. Subscriptions may -be ■left with the Taranaki Herald and the Taranaki Daily News, and with the hon. treasurer and assistant -hon. treasurer, Messrs J. Paton and W. J. Chaney.—l am, etc., J. E. WILSON, Chairman N.P. Patriotic Committee.