HOW TO HELP. Lao ins Enures or TEM " 8 FFCCILTOR." . 1 Sin,—The
clocks of time are ticking rapidly towards the completion of the first year of this unparalleled struggle.
Nevertheless we islanders still fail to grasp the fact that the horrible din going on at a short distance from us is no ordi- nary war. The little stream between Kent and the Pas-de- Calais makes us feel so secure, acts as a narcotic, blinds us to actual happenings. We want to make a strenuous effort to trample more and more underfoot the noxious many- headed beast of selfishness, which in this imperfect world is bound to rise up prominently at abnormal times. We are not patriots enough to like being disturbed in our comfortable grooves. It displeases us if, "owing to the war," we cannot get some article to which we are used. That we are not suffi- ciently patriotic is shown in many commonplace things. Let us view our domestic lives. There is shortage of labour in trades, and we complain about having to bring home this or that parcel. " What a nuisance," says the housekeeper, "that I have to carry back my provisions and groceries myself." "Surely you can send these ties," says a man to his outfitter. It ought to be a privilege to help in the humblest manner now. As usual, the little hidden ways of assisting are despised. People want to be doing something prominent—some work before the eyes of the world. All well and good; but those humble hidden methods of service—what miracles could be accomplished if more were willing to perform them. Un- skilled work perhaps, but none the less valuable for that. Willingness to go an errand for some one pressed for time, a little sacrifice of sleep, a gift to a prisoner of war, &c. The Registration Bill will enable, scores of competent men and women to show their aptitude for arts and crafts, but do not let us be contemptuous of unskilled labour. We are not all Bezaleels and Aholials.—I am, Sir, &c., I. B. H.
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