HOUR OF NEED

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21223, 20 September 1940, Page 4

HOUR OF NEED

DISTRESS IN LONDON KEEPING CP MORALE DOMINION’S ASSISTANCE Day by day and hour by hour, while we in New Zealand are pursuing our accustomed tasks and leading our lives more or less according to our usual schedule, Londoners are adapting themselves to a new order of things. For them the old order of peace and security seems to have vanished for a time. They have been called upon to steel their nerves against untold horrors and to face almost indescribable events with as much equanimity as possible. Little can we realise the strain they must undergo as they wait for each new development that the Nazi war machine chooses to direct at them, and little can we in this far away Dominion imagine the distress they have suffered since the merciless bombing of the heart of Empire began. What we do realise is that their reactions and the manfler in which they stand up to fierce raids by day and by night will play a big part in the future of the city of London and of the Empire. Should their morale collapse there is no knowing what the turn of events might be. Splendid Courage They also know this and, as Britons, they have shown a fine determination to play their part in smashing the efforts of a grim and ruthless regime which has openly sought to rob them of all that they hold dear. While their homes have been blasted before their eyes, while their streets and places of business have vanished in smoke and fire, while their friends and dear ones have suffered hurt and misery, they have maintained an admirable spirit and have carried on their daily round as well as circumstances allow. Such courage must arouse feelings of admiration in the hearts of all freedom-loving people. It also impels a desire to assist those in need. Londoners, by helping themselves in their hour of direst trouble, have shown that they deserve assistance from outside, and already New Zealand has despatched £IOO,OOO for the Lord Mayor of London’s fund for the assistance of distress. This amount has to be covered by public subscription, Waikato’s share having been fixed at £45,000. At the request of the patriotic zone committee, a subscription list has been opened by the Waikato Times and all donations will be acknowledged. The following donations are

COUNCIL DONATES £IOOO (By Telegraph—special to Times) AUCKLAND, Friday The City Council approved last night a donation of £IOOO toward the first phase of the Auckland Provincial Patriotic Council’s campaign for funds, the relief of the people of London.

acknowledged:— £ s d Previously acknowledged . 25 0 0 J. Spence 5 0 0 Mr & Mrs A. C. Burgess 1 1 0 Mrs E. Clapham 5 0 31 6 0