TO HELP THE BELGIANS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2238, 26 August 1914, Page 4

TO HELP THE BELGIANS

The people of New Zealand, we are sure, will readily respond to tho suggestion that something should bo done here to assist in, relieving the distress which the war has caused in Belgium. A fund for this purpooj has already been established in Britain, and many people in New Zealand are desirous of showing in a practical manner their sympathy and admiration for tho gallant manner in which the Belgians have withstood- the advance of tho German invader, and at a critical juncture checked the movement designed to place France at a- disadvantage. In response to suggestions from many quarters, we have decided to open a fund to help the Belgian'people in their present troubles and to' enable them to repair the awful devastation which-the present war has brought upon their country. The splendid up-hill fight which the little army of Belgium has fought against overwhelming odds must appeal to everyone. It was not expected that this bravo little nation could permanently hold the huge German armies back. Their part in the campaign was to delay the advance of the enemy as long as possible in order to give tho British and French forces time to take up their positions and complete their arrangements for repelling the attack on Franco. They have performed their allotted task at a terrible cost to themselves. Thousands of breadwinners have been killed or wounded in battle, hundreds of homes have been burnt, crops and cattle have been destroyed, trade and industry have been paralvscd, and the country laid waste. The loss and suffering have already been incalculable, and the land is still a battlefield. It must not be forgotten that tho Belgians have been fighting for Britain and Franco as well as for themselves, and that their misfortunes have not been of their own seeking. Help must be urgently needed, and we are quite sure that the people of Wellington will make the most generous use of this opportunity of showing their admiration of the magnificent courage and self-sacrifice of'the Belgians, and their sympathy with a ■ friendly nation which: has suffered so much in a good cause. The fundwill be administered b.v .a committee, with the Hon. C. J. Johnston; Consul-General for Belgium, as' chairman. Donations will be received at Thr Dominion office and acknowledged, in our columns.