WAITARA.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 September 1916, Page 3

WAITARA.

(Froity n Correspondent). Alter having read in the News the very fine account of the brave deeds of our boys at Flers, is there a man, woman or child who will not sacrifice .something to give the soldiers a treat for Xmas? Although it is hardly credible, yet the fact must be admitted that we iinve cold-blooded people in our midst who ii"ver give a brass farthing towards the patriotic fund?, and still less will they dream of assisting to make life a little like home even at Xma»-unless they are f.rivcn to it, despite the fact that it is by the work of our brave soldier boys that we are enjoying sueli prosperity. How many of us have gone short of a luxury since the war started? Very,.very few. Ko'w many have had a meal less? None. How many have enriched themselves liy the dreadful war? Hundreds. How many are going to help the movement on Thursday either by money or goods to remind our boys that theii friends are \hinking of them at the festive season? How many people are waiting to be asked to do something and why pre they doing so? Surely it is not necessary that patriotic- committees should go cap in hand as if it were a eharitv. It is an honor to be one of the band of willing donors and this should be recognised. Many, of course, are sending to their own sons and relative,s, but even then the fact should be remembered that someone may be without a relation and a little extra out- of the abundance we possess will not leave us poorer at (he end of the year. I.et us hope for the honor of Taranaki that has received so much additional for produce that a response such as lr.av l:e tajked about will be made during lite' coming few weeks. Locally there is to be a concert and dance in the Clifton Hall this evening for a tv:o r old puropse. The finvl is to raise funds to assist in j aying for the district's share of the cost ot the 20ft parcels to lie sent through the l.adv Liverpool fund, and secondly to reciive for the enjoyment of our soldiers any gift parcels, not foi the individual soldier, but for the me generally of those 'n the trenches. The matter of '.ending parcel: to private friends will not be dealt with, as it i> thought better that these should go through the ordinary channel, the Post Ollice. Any goods i-e-1

reived will be pooled for general use. A most excellent programme has been arranged, the gifted Clifford family, wits the assistance of a lady musical monologist from Tasmania, will fill the bill tor the first half, whilst local .-ocalists will render the second part. Contributions of money and goods will be made luring the concert and dance, and a yood rcsnonsc is looked for.