Aug. 17. the risk of being dubbed an importunate old lady, this journal takes this opportunity refer to the appeal for monthly. payments to the Voluntary War Contribution Fund, which appears elsewhere in this issue. The campaign to secure an immediate gift to H. M. Government was a complete success, the stipulated £50,000 being obtained well before the expected date. The sponsors of the scheme had no doubt that this result would be attained, and it is with equal confidence that they appeal to all those in Shang hai and the outports, who responded so splendidly, to carry on the good work by means of what amounts to voluntary taxation. Perhaps it would be just as well draw a comparison between Hongkong's effort and that of the British community in China, The Colony succeeded in raising something over HK.$1,300,000, which in sterling amount ed to £80,000. Britons throughout China subscribed over CN.$3,000,000. which represents about £50,000. "When the difference in the exchange of the two currencies is taken into consideration, and the fact that 80 many Britons in China earn in Chinese dollars, it is clear that the effort in Shanghai ind the outports compares very favourably indeed with that of Hongkong.
But the good work hus to continue. It is not only desirable, but imperative that there should go home from China for so long as this war lasts a steady stream of money, tangible evidence of the loyalty of the community to all for which the British Empire stands and for which itis fighting the biggest struggle in its history. A story is told of old lady who, as she made her way to an id shelter in a town on the south coast of England, remarked that she liked to hear the sirens' sounding, because she always thought how fewer German aeroplanes there would be when they sounded the "All clear" again.—Every list of acknowledgments which appears in the British press should tive the same pleasure as indicating how many more British aeroplanes are being provided to fight the enemy. The much over~ worked phrase of giving until it hurts stil has its uses; now it should be a pleasure to sive, a happiness iW the knowledge that it is possible all these miles away from the scene of action to get in a blow, no matter how small, against the common enemy. it should bbe a matter of pride for all individuals to know that they are giving the utmost possible, that in their small sacrifice—for after all how trivial it is!—they are contributing to ultimate victory. Then consider how lite tle is asked for. In the example of how this voluntary taxation should be assessed embodied in the appeal, a person drawing $2,500 a month is asked to give $105 oF roughly 4.2 per cent. Many will undoubtedly desire to give more. © Many it is known are already doing so. Some may find it impos sible to give as much, They should not be ashamed to give no matter how small the gift may be—so many oaks from little acorns grow. To give out of abundance is good: to give out of want is better. It is as well to remember this, for itis not only the act of giving but the spirit in which it is performed which matters Thus a dollar from a poor man is just fas important asa greater sum from one blessed with a larger share of this world's goods, for it material demonstra-is tion of the spiritual will to This is not a private war. Every Briton can join in, if hot by prowess in the field, at least by affording monetary support for those who bear the heat and burden of the day. We owe it to our: gallant men and women in the services at home, to the people, defenceless civilians, who manfully stand-up under the terror of the enemy's bombings, indeed we owe it to ourselves to see that we do not stint in the support we can give our cause. Everything is made easy for those who wish to assist in this great work. A banker's order is. provided in this issue. All that is necessary is to fill it in and send it round to the bank and the rest will automatically be attended to month after month until Great Britain has removed the evil thing which now threatens the world. And remember when filling that form that the very best is not too good for the men who are fighting our cause. They must not, they shall not be let down; to help in preventing that we out here can do our bit, and Give! Give! Give!
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.