Belgian Relief Fund.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15869, 7 April 1917, Page 8

Belgian Relief Fund.

Seeing that voluntary subscriptions to the Belgian Relief Fund are subsidised by the New Zealand Government, Sir James Allen acted very properly in cabling to tho High Commissioner regarding the allegations by a Mr Whitaker, published in the London "Times," to tho effect that tho Germans were remarkably lenient in Belgium, that Brussels and Antwerp were well-supplied with food, which tvas produced as plentifully as beforo the war, and that tho shops and theatres arc crowded with fashionable women. The High Commissioner, as wo anticipated would be the case, says thcro is nothing to support the rumours circulated by Mr Whitaker. Mr Hoover, chairman of the Belgian Relief Commission, states there is great privation among the bulk of tho Belgian people, although a few of the wealthy might bo obtaining full supplies. This is not tho first time an attempt has been mado to throw cold water on a movement which ought to commend itself to every sympathetic person who reflects on the sufferings which Belgium has had to undergo. A more serious question to bo faced is the manner in which tho Germans are torpedoing Belgian relief ships, and tho fact that America's participation in tho war will seriously interfere with the arrangements for the distribution of tho relief. Until this difficulty has beon cleared up the local committee are justified in declining to send forward any moro money. We hope that before very long tho process of clearing tho Germans out of Belgium will begin, and there will then doubtless bo plenty of scopo for tho benevolent in providing for tho wants of the Belgians in the reoccupied areas.