The Daily News. SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 1916. THE SOLDIERS' CLUB.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 August 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 1916. THE SOLDIERS' CLUB.

The formal opening of the New 'Plymouth Soldiers' Club on Thursday marks two important phases of the spirit, of the times. In the first place, it is' substantial evidence of the appreciation which is so universally felt by the people in every part of the Dominion for the practical patriotism of our virile manhood in coming forward to take their part in rallying around the Motherland to defend tiie mighty principles of freedom on which the great British Empire been founded and extended, and for which the name of the Empire stands. The response to the Empire's call for men has been and still is worthy of the stock from which the race has sprung. ■Xio man can make a greater or more glorious sacrifice than on the altar of patriotism. It is the recognition of this fact that has so forcefully stirred the hearts of the people, and especially of the ladies, to do all in their power for those who have rallied around the Old Flag, and once more returned to the land from whence they went »orth. In this labor of love, the ladies of New Plymouth have given host and heartiest service?. The splendid example set by the Mayoress (Mrs. 0. H. Burgess) will ever be'a plessant memory for our citizens. Other ladies have done nobly and well in sharing this work of providing an attractive and comfortable "club" for our returned soldiers, not merely Taranaki men, but those from all parts of the Dominion. The cause was in every way

worthy of the efforts put forth, anil the comfortable arrangements, as well as the many conveniences placed at the disposal of the men, should afford conclusive testimony of the ladies' gratitude for the services rendered by the manhood of the country in the struggle to crush German tyranny and brutality. The Soldiers' Club, however, stands for far more than a tangible evidence of goodwill, for it embodies in concrete form the spirit of brotherhood. It is hoped and intended that the rooms which were handed over to the returned soldiers on Thursday may form a suitable meeting place for those who have been fighting for the unity of Empire, and that just as the ties between the dominions and the Motherland have been closely and permanently solidified by the war, so will the ties of brotherhood in arms of our brave defenders be cemented in a lasting union. The more these soldiers' clubs are used the stronger will these ties become. They are part and parcel of the Empire, and bear witness to the loyalty and patriotism that ims been aroused during this terrible war All honor to the ladicg of New Plymouth and those of the opposite sex who have.provided the club and given it such an excellent start! All honor to the meD for whom it is intended, and to the Borough Council for rendering the scheme possible by placing the old Town Hall at the lisposal of the committee. The only way in which our returned soldiers can give acceptable recognition of the devoted work of the ladies on their behalf is to use the club as much as possible, and to make it serve the good purpose for which it is intended.