CIVILIANS SUFFER

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21224, 21 September 1940, Page 8

CIVILIANS SUFFER

RAIDS ON LONDON ASSISTANCE FROM EMPIRE DONATIONS IN HAMILTON To all people with memories of the last war the term “casualty” has once again become fraught with a tragic and grim familiarity. For our kinsmen overseas, whose perilous lot it is to be living near to the centre of hostilities, it has taken on a more intimate and menacing significance, since the modern system of totalitarian warfare makes no distinction between civilian and combatant. In the wars of past centuries active participation was confined to the armed forces of the belligerent nations. The civilian populations, unless of course they chanced to be inhabitants of the area where the opposing armies were engaged, were not directly exposed to the danger of losing life or limb or material possessions from hostile action. Personal suffering and inconvenience were theirs, but the battlefield was not at their back-door, so to speak, as it is for the civilian populations of many countries today. Toll of Life Unquestionably the toll of human life is the most appalling of all war’s ravages. Material destruction or damage can be restored or repaired, and economic dislocation resulting from war is capable of rectification, but human lives and all they connote in potential human achievement are irreplaceable. Today in London the civilians are tasting the most bitter and fierce onslaughts that the Nazi mind can devise, but the undaunted spirit with which they have met the merciless suffering imposed on them has won the admiration of all freedom-loving peoples and has awakened a desire to help them in their hour of trial. Canada, India, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and all other outposts of the far-flung British Empire have shown a desire to extend, in some tangible form, the assistance that will lighten the load of Londoners who have suffered at the hands of raiders to whom combatants and non-combatants are as one. In New Zealand £IOO,OOO has already been despatched to the Lord Mayor of London’s fund for the assistance of those in distress. This amount has to be covered by public subscription, Waikato’s share being fixed at £45,000. A list has been opened at the Waikato Times and now stands at £l2l 16s. The following donations are acknowledged:—

WOMEN’S FIGHTER FUND The New Zealand women’s fighter fund in Hamilton has reached almost £IBO, the latest donations being as follows:

BANK DONATES £IOOO (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Saturday The Bank of New Zealand has given £IOOO to the London Relief Fund. It will be allocated among the 11 provincial councils in proportion to their respective quotas. MASTERTON GIVES WELL (By Telegraph.—Press Association) MASTERTON, Saturday Since Tuesday £1025 has been subscribed in Masterton for the relief of distress in London.

£ S d Previously acknowledged . 31 6 0 Fred. Retter 0 0 G.E.F . 10 0 0 Mr & Mrs Gerald Bull . . 10 0 0 Mr & Mrs A. P. Speedy . . 5 0 0 M. Forrest 10 0 Miss J. Clover . i 10 0 For England 0 0 A. Pascoe 10 0 121 16 0

£ s d Previously acknowledged 171 Fairfield Women’s Institute (Mrs Davy’s afternoon, £3; other mem13 6 bers, £2 5s) 5 5 0 Eureka Women’s Institute i 17 0 Mum and the Girls .... i 0 0 179 15 6