Wairarapa Times-Age SATURDAY. NOVEMBER 4, 1939. PATRIOTIC FUNDS DRIVE.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 November 1939, Page 4

Wairarapa Times-Age SATURDAY. NOVEMBER 4, 1939. PATRIOTIC FUNDS DRIVE.

JTIERE should be no doubt about a quick response m large and small donations to the appeal now launched by the Wellington Provincial Patriotic Council—represented in the Northern Wairarapa by its deputy-chairman, Nr 1. Jordan. Mayor ol'Master!on—lor funds with which to provide amenities ami comforts for the soldiers under training in Trent ham Camp. The right, tiling has been done in building up an organisation able to place the collection of funds on an orderly basis and to ensure thin the greatest possible benefit shall be conlerred mi the men who have enlisted to serve their country. It will be agreed, too. that the objects in support of which hinds are meantime invited—the provision of a permanent band at Trentham Camp, the furnishing of the recreational hall, and the establishment of a regimental comlorts lund are all oi. them excellent. Further good uses for patriotic funds no doubt will appear as time goes on. but a thoroughly practical beginning is being made and people in this district and elsewhere no doubt will welcome the opportunity of doing something on behalf ol the men who are taking up the burden of war service and lacing whatever that service may entail. A band ’will brighten the life of the camp in various ways and its music will lighten the tedium of many a march. Facilities for recreation, entertainment and sport’also are most desirable, and experienced officers and others bear witness to the value of a regimental comforts fund and the helpful purpose it serves. None have a better claim to the consideration ol their fellow-citizens than the members ol the First Echelon the men who were first to respond ,to the call to arms. It follows that as little time as possible should be lost in giving effect to the. proposals advanced by the Provincial Patriotic Council. That organisation should be enabled to proceed at once with the formation'of the projected band—no doubt players and instruments can be brought together at comparatively short notice—and also with the furnishing of the recreational hall and the creation of the regimental fund. A quick and liberal response to the appeal for contributions will cut delays to a minimum. The opportunity of adding something to the happiness and welfare of our citizen soldiers should be and no doubt will be regarded as a privilege by the people of this district and others. .Military life, even in a training .eamp, resolves ilself at best into a somewhat Spartan routine, and there is not a great deal that the civilian community can do for the men who have enlisted for its defence. What can be done should mi that account be done so much the more willingly. The appeal now made is on behalf of our best and bravest—those who have taken up the harder part of the task that a war not of our seeking imposes on the whole community. Here is an occasion, if ever there was one, on -which we should all be prepared to give what we may, readily and quickly.