FOR THE RELIEF OF BELGIANS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2395, 26 February 1915, Page 2

FOR THE RELIEF OF BELGIANS

MEETING OF WOMEN. The woman's meeting which was held yesterday afternoon to consider matters in connection with tho street collection. in aid of Belgian women and children which it is proposed to hold on Monday next was so largely attended that an adjournment had to be made from the Mayor's room of tho Town Hall to the councillors' room. The Mayoress, Mrs. J. P. Luke, presided, and among those who were present were Mrs. W. F. Massey, Mrs. 0. Johnston, the wife of the Belgian Consul, and Mrs. H. D. Bell.

Mrs. Luke, in opening the meeting, explained that it had been organised by a number of Wellington women somewhat hurriedly, owing to recent news of the sad state of Belgian women and children, for' whom tlioy felt intense sympathy. It had been hoped that by making a street collection something substantial might be brought in for the immediate assistance of these victims of war, and they wanted to get as many to help with, this collection as possible. They wanted to feel sure that whatever money was sent Home would go in the right direction, and not be diverted to the enemy, and tlvey wanted their effort to be as big as possible. As soon as information for which the Prime Minister cabled Home had been received a big meeting would be called in the Town Hall for a widely-organised and comprehensive scheme of _ help.. in addition to Monday's collection. Tho Government had not been shirking its duty, but it had l to see that something'was left for the people of the Dominion, otherwise they would b'o in something of the plight of the Belgians and needing assistance themselves. Mrs. Luke then asked' Miss Beatrice Day, who has had considerable experience in Melbourne and Sydney in the way of collections for . patriotic purposes, to 6peak. » Miss Beatrice Day Speaks. In telling of what had been done in Australia in collecting money for patriotic and relief purposes, Miss 'Day said that she, with helpers working from the end of August till the time sho came away, about a fortnight ago, had collected in pennies £20 a week for the" Red Cross organisation, snd if everybody- in Wellington worked with a "light heart and willing," she was sure they would got as much and more-than that. If people were asked to give once a week they were not so likely to get tired of the practice as they would if tlioy were asked oft9ner (although, in Melbourne and Sydney they collected every night at the theatres and picture palaces). If fifty girls or women were willing to go round with collection boxes and ask for something, no matter how little, the boxes, she was sure, would average over a pound each. Tho effort would havo to be kept going for a long time. A little while ago the English papers had announced that the King and Queen were going to attend a benefit which was being given for 20,000 actors and actresses who had been thrown out of work. It was by giving and going, going and giving, that something would be arrived at, and the stress and strain grow - less and less until the war is over.

Mrs. Luke then outlined two proposals which had been submitted for the consideration of the meeting, one from Mrs. H. D. Bell, who afterwards read it aloud, and the other from Mr. Lan Duncan. As both, however, related to the'big effort which will be mijde on receipt of news from the British Government, they, : were not dealt with, a resolution being passed to that effect, on the proposal of the Mayoress, who then proceeded with the" matter immediately before the meeting, re the street collection. Mrs. C. Johnston., who. was asked to speak, expressed her sympathy with the scheme for helping the Belgian women, but she thought the need so great that the Government should bo asked to help, the world could not stand by and see these people starve. The need was ■so much greater than we knew, and the help of every country was tueeded. Taking the People. Mrs. Seville thought the Government ought to place a tax upon people so that everybody would be compelled to give, and that voluntary efforts ought still to 'be continued. She would gladly make one of a deputation if necessary to ask the Government that a tax should be put upon the country for this purpose. Mrs. Mtchett told the meeting that many people had promised to send in flowers for sale oh Monday, and in addition pencils at 6d. each would be sold. Badges for which ribbon had been given would bo for sale, and already there had been, offers to collect from Kilbirnie, Hataitai, Miramar, ■ and Seatoun., They would be very glad of offers of the use of motor-cars on Monday, and collection-boxes could now be got at any time, ready for Monday. ■ Mrs. Seville asked how was the money. to be given over, to the Belgians, as according to the cablegrams there seemed to be little chance of getting it to them at the present time-. Mrs. Luke 'said that there was still a doubt of things going in the right channel, but the Government would not hand the money over till it was sure.

Lady Stout was another of the speakers who thought it desirable that, while, help should bo given, they should be extremely careful to see that it went through the right channels. -They had seen the statement made by s Sir Edward Grey that all money which had been sent by the different colonies was still in the hands of the British Government, because it had been unable to send it ovor to' Belgium. "Whilq feeling the utmost sympathy with the suffering Belgians they did not want the money to fall into the hands. of the enemy., Belgium was completely under the control of Germany, and it was extremely probnble that money, food, clothing, .etc.,' sent over for the Belgians would be appropriated by her. She thought the Government ought to be congratulated upon the decided attitude it had taken in the matter, , end that it was waiting to see' what safeguards were being taken. Holland, France, and England were takin'g in the refugees, and great work was being done by. Queen Mary's Emergency Corps. The entire control of the refugees in England had been handed over to this .body of women, and they were seoing to the placing of these people and to their assistance in every way. British women and their" babies could not got money given them in their distress, and yet we throw money at Belgium without stopping to think if it will get to them safely. By all means . send ' money, but send it where it will help' not only Belgian but British women and children as well. Sond it direct through Queen Mary's organisation of women, i who were working directly for the peo-1 pie ivhom tlie-y wished to assist. Various matters in connection with Monday's collection were next discussed, streets being allotted, and offers of assistance being received. j On Monday next, shojild tbo weather pormit, a thorough campaign for funds will be instituted throughout the city. J