In another column will be found an account of the progress of the Central British War Fund. "The British community have done splendidly in contributing in these hard times approximately £19,000 and it is hoped that the good work will continue. It is no small feat with economic conditions as they are that over hall a million dollars and several thousands of unds should have been subscribed in about six months, and the committee of the fund have every reason to hope that in a year well over a million dollars will have been secured.
Indeed it is to be hoped that that objective will be passed long before that period has elapsed, for the needs are already great and likely to be more as the war progresses. While some people have given one large sum and left matters at that until some new appeal touches them, to respond again, gratifying numbers of contributors have made arrangements to contribute monthly. There should, however, be more of them, for the steadier the iítome. the better will the committee be placed for deciding to which particular form of war charity the various remittances should be devoted. The matter can easily be arranged with the donors' banks who have been good enough to extend every assistance in the matter to the Fund's committee, and being cared for automatically ensure that the contributions will be regularly received, With regard to those who have given but one contribution, while it is realized that they are the best judges of what they can pay and how they can do it, it is urged with all earnestness that a continuous subscription when ther monthly, quarterly or half yearly is the best and most appropriate means of helping the various war charities. The sacrifice in war is continuous one. Those not privileged to take u more active part in the defence of the Empire than merely to stand and wait until their services may be required, have to remember that the men serving in the various forces do so continuously, ever running the risks of death or mutilation which they must do until peace is again restored. It is desirable that the small eacrfice which contributors are asked to make, and any amount of money is smell compared with what those actively engaged in war-fore are giving,—should be made regularly. Moreover it is not sufficient to give, but to give until it hurts, There are some who have already decided upon a proportion of their income, almost in the nature of a voluntary tax. It is a most praiseworthy idea and is strongly recommended to those who can see their way clear to do so. Some comment has been made concerning the donations forthcoming from certain British companies. In some cases the contribution seems to be lamentably small, and the reason is stated to be the reluctance of some directors to ask their shareholders not of British nationality to contribute. The argument does not seem to be well founded, For the most part the profits which those shareholders enjoy have been earned under the protection of Great Britain and her sons engaged in this present struggle. The probability of their being able to continue to enjoy such profits depends upon the efforts of Great Britain and the Empire, and it is not too much to ask that those so benefitting should make a satisfactory contribution in recognition of that fact.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.