A GRACEFUL COMPLIMENT

Taranaki Daily News, 11 December 1918, Page 4

A GRACEFUL COMPLIMENT

It was a thoughtful act on the part of the Taranaki County Council yesterday to pass a vote of appreciation of the services rendered during the recent epidemic to the country districts by the New Plymouth health organisation, and we are sure it will be accepted in the same spirit as it was tendered. In the whole of its history New Plymouth lias dona nothing finer, and is deserving of the graceful compliment paid by tho council. Not that the members who wrought so successfully and evinced such a splendid spirit seek or desire any commendation. Sufficient is it for them to feel that their efforts resulted in helping the community, in town and country, in a time of gi.ive crisis, and perhaps saved life. That knowledge, no doubt, affords them full compensation for any personal sacrifice '■he work entailed. But it is, all the name, gratifying to know that the country 1« grateful for what was done. The organisation, it must be said, was as solicitous for the welfare of the country people as of the town, and spared no effort to combat the disease, relieve suffering and save life. Not only that, bu-; It took in hand the care of milking 'herds, and by the prompt help given prevented heavy loss. The part taken by the town ladies was equally meritorious. For two to three weeks they simply dedicated themselves to the service of the suffering people in town and country, and in the process many of them went down through the disease, gome, unfortunately, never to rise again. Altogether the town has reason to be thankful that when the crisis came its citizens, from the highest to the lowest, rose magnificently to it, and set an example in devotion, unseH'shness and abnegation that will serve both as a lesson and an inspiration for many years to come, proving that the heart of the people is as sound as that of the lads who have done so brilliantly at the var, and that when occasion calls for it t'.r-y can act unitedly, disinterestedly and helpfully. The -work performed s'iows conclusively once more that the interests rt town and country are indissoluble; that an injury to one is felt by the other, and that the future welfare and progress of the district call for the closest co-operation and sympathy between the people of town and country. Thougn the outbreak has caused much sorrow and the loss of many valuable' hves we could ill afford to lose and can never replace, it has been the means of disclosing a kindness of heart and a real sympathy on the part of the people as a whole that otherwise may never have been revealed-worthy and precie-.u attributes that make almost all things possible.