Remember the Men in the Trenches. HOW WOMEN MAY HELP AND ENCOURAGE.

There is an ever-increasing demand for comforts for the men in the trenches. The Queensland Soldiers’ Comforts Depot in Parbury House has an army of women throughout Queensland working daily to supply those wants. But these women are in need of re-inforcements just as the soldiers in the trenches are in need of re-inforcements of men to-day. Those women who have immediate ties with men in the firing line have learnt of the soldiers’ delight in receiving additional comforts—they have also heard of the long hours spent midst wind, rain, mud and snow, when the soldiers’ only food was military rations, their only clothes—military equipment. Sufficient comforts have not been sent to the men. Additional socks, mufflers, mittens, Cardigan jackets, Balaclava caps, shirts, games, musical instruments, books, tinned fruits and milk are urgently needed. Surely the women of Queensland will not fail to make further and greater efforts to bring some gladness to the men fighting for us in France and Egypt.

The Anzacs who have returned from facing the hourly risk of death have a strange look in their eyes, and many, when sitting quietly smoking or resting, seem to be listening. One soldier was questioned: “You look as if you were listening all the time to something we can’t hear.” “Yes,” he said, “when I sit quietly I seem to hear the chaps in the trenches calling for me to come back.” The Anzac in question was well enough to do light military duty, but he felt that even he, after his strenuous work and severe wounds, should return and give the men a helping hand.

Can’t you hear, women of Queensland, the men in the trenches calling for extra comforts? Can’t you hear them saying, “If we had a few more pairs of socks and some extra warm clothing things wouldn’t be so bad. I wonder why the women don’t send us more things?” Those who have their women folk working here are unbounded in their gratitude for individual parcels. They also receive goods from the Soldiers’ Comforts Fund. But think of the men who have no friends or relations to work for them! They depend entirely on extra comforts to the Comforts Fund—and if there are not enough to go round there must be many a bitter thought.

But not so bitter as the thought of no reinforcements of men. Nor so bitter as the thought of extra risks, extra hours of suffering because the country they are fighting for refuses to assist them in their hour of need. Every extra man in the trenches lessens the casualty lists. Every extra comfort gives not only a glow of pleasure and hours of comparative ease, but encouragement. Writing from the trenches men say that when parcels arrive excitement is intense. It seems a voice from home, and for the nonce war and death are brushed aside. But the lonely soldier who receives no remembrances, not even slight acknowledgment of his sacrifices, must sometimes wonder if his country and countrymen and women are worth risking death for.