RED CROSS APPEAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 October 1916, Page 4

RED CROSS APPEAL.

CAMPAIGN FOR FUNDS. URGENT NEED EXISTS. The ready sympathy of the resident* cf New Plymouth and the sifcrounding district with the needs and sufferings of thoso who are fighting in far lands 'il being demonstrated by the way in which subscriptions are coming in to swell tin fund instituted by the local branch of th« Red Cross Society. The anniversary of Trafalgar Dav will be marked locally by a special effort to. raise a'sum worthy of the splendid object for which flw appeal is made. The appeal of the Bed Cross to the people of New Plymouth and Taranaki is not only a plea for charity, but a call to duty-doing. The increasing casualty lists are sufficienl evidence of the urgent need which exists for the work of the Red Cross Society. New Zealanders, as well as Imperial soldiers, will benefit bv the funds that are being raised throughout the Eir <M at this time, and a strong appeal ii \W sued to every man, woman, and o '■ who ■wishes to alleviate the sufforingMr the wounded, »t> igfre' to the : fuh&Bii tiui> means permit. GRACIOUS SYMPATHY. The question has been raised, as It a*« ways is raised when appeals for publio support are made, as to whether the Government should not undertake the responsibility of providing for the requirements of the wounded without leaving this work to the Red Croaa Society. This question has been answered by Sir Frederick Treves, who says that the soldier regards what tho War Office pro* vidos as his right, while the work of th« Red Cross Society is to him an expression of gracious sympathy, a visible token that the people of the homeland are doing what they can to make some personal return for the great sacrifices he is making for them. "" '

A COMBINED EFFORT. For the period of the,, present trtff the British Red Cross Society and the St. John Ambulance Association, recognising that union is strength, are working -together for a common end—the mitigation of the sufferings cf those wounded and sick in the war by supplementing the official channels of supply. The need for concentrated voluntary effort is now greater than ever, and it behoves all true Britishers to heartily support the noble work that is being so enthusiastically carried on under the auspices of the combined organisations referred to. and it is important that each should, pay his share toward* smoothing the road over which trejrei the maimed bodies of our.heroes.

GOOD WORK OF THE PAST. Cood work had been done in the pan by the Now Plymouth branch of the Rod Cross Society. Apart from the two cases of goods that are despatched monthly to the Central Depot, Wellington, for distribution where mo»t required at the front, the branch has railed £7OO during the last three months. An extra ensc. of clothing has been prepared for the Russian Red Cross Society, and, this is now ready for despatch.

HOUSE TO HOUSE CANVASS. To-day's campaign will consist of & house to house canvass throughout this town and neighbouring distriot. Collectors will work as far away as Pungarehu and Lepperton. Money has already been raised at Okato and Oakura, anil this will go to augment the fund* to be obtained to-day.' . " DUTY OP RESIDENTS. In view of the duty cast upon the com. munity by reason of the nature of the nnpeal, it is to be hoped that the most liberal response will be given to the voluntary workers who will call upon residents to-day for subscriptions.