BELGIUM RELIEF

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2400, 4 March 1915, Page 6

BELGIUM RELIEF

MASLBOROOGH PROPOSALS. IBy Telecranh.—Pl633 ABsoetaUon.l Blenheim, March 3. A conference o£ local bodies of borough was held to-day to oonsidfer the special appeal for Belgian relief. It was decided that the Government be urged to make substantial jperiodio contributions by means of special taxation, also that voluntary contributions be' Btill continued. £9000 in cash and kind has been raised to date in Marlborough for the war relief funds. PANTOMIME COMPANY'S EFFORT . WINS £150. (By Telegraph.—.Press Association.) New Plymoujh, March 3. Messrs. Stephenson 'and Linley's "Humpty Dumpty" Pantomime Company gave a street performance this afternoon in New Plymouth in aid of the Belgian Relief Fund. Large crowds turned out, and over £150 was raised in collections and auctions of a Belgian flag and otjier gifts. BELGIAN REFUGEES I ■ 198,000 IN ENGLAND. ByTelegrttDli—Prces Assooiftttoo-CopyrirM London, Maroh 2. Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr. Herbert Samuel (President of the Local Government), in reply to a quesj tion, said there were 65,000 Belgian men, 69,000 women, and 46,000 children in England, besides 18,000 wounded and convalescent soldiers. ' A HOME IN AUSTRALIA. / (Rec. March 3, 8 p.m.) , Sydney, March 3. • The New South Wales Premier (Mr. W: A. Holman) states that his Government is prepared to arrange' for _ temporary shelter or for permanent immigration for Belgian, refugees. . SERVIAN RELIEF FUND IN - SYDNEY. Sydney, March 3. He Servian Relief Fund grows slowly. It now totals £1762.

MAYOR'S NEW FUND. . £ 8. d. Amount previously acknowledged ; 56 12 0 Normal School, Thorndon..'. 10 0 0 D. Purchas, Ejlbirnie ... 2 0 0 ' £68 12 0 THE "DOMINION" LIST. Contributions to the fund for th# relief of the Belgians in distress will subsequently be forwarded to the at thoritißs in Belgium for distribution:—

MR. W. H. FIELD'S VIEWS. Following is a copy of a letter forwarded last week to the Prime Minister by Mr. W. H. Field, M.P., who holds that the main burden of relief should be borne directly by the State:— > Dear Mr. Massey.—With respect to the 6ad plight of the Belgian people, concerning which a pathetic appeal reached us from the Belgian Relief Commission a low days; ago, I desire to express to'you the view I have all along held on the subject of contributions from this country, not only to the Belgian J)'iind, but' also to the Patriotic and other funds established in consequence of the war. ; There is no question that not only our Empire, but every civilised oountry, is under a deep debt of gratitude to the: Belgians, and this debt, can never be fully paid. Their brave defence of their country, and splendid resistance of German aggression at the outset of the war, just gave England and France the necessary time to prepare for the prevention of a world-wide disaster. The resulting loss, ruin, and misery Belgium and its people have suffered, and will yet suffer, i 6 incalculable. Our plain duty is to put forth every effort to relieve the distress. But, while I would not for a moment discourage private contributions, I am strongly of opinion that the main burden should be borne by the State itself. If we give from the Public Treasury,' then one' and all of us will furnish our share, whereas if we mainly depend on private generosity'many will escape who are well able to help. lam aware tjie matter is under the Government's consideration, and that it is urgently necessary, to come to an immediate decision. • I strongly advooate such a substantial monthly contribution from our public funds as will constitute at least New Zealand's fair proportion of the amouni needed, always provided, of course, that we can be .assured that any money or goods provided by us shall reach the Belgians, not the Germans. —I am, etc., B . W. H. FIELD 1 . Wellington, February 25, 1915.

° £_ s.'a. Previously acknowledged .... 18)445 6 0 "Manawatu Evening Standard's" List, 205 4,9 The British Empire Trading Co. (by their attorney, C. B.Russell) • 100 0 0 C. B. Russell ......... 25 0>0'Pupils Fitzherhert Terrace School 15 0 0 "X," Khandallah 10 0 0 Mrs. C. B. Russell ............ 10 0- 0 • Provider's Dept., s.s. Wahine (2nd instalment) 1 7 15 0 F. V. Waters . 5 5 0 "F.F." • 5 5 0 Miss Holmes, Hawkestoire . Street : .: 5 0 0 "G.G.B." : 5 0 0' "Sympathy," Marton ......... 3 0 0 Miss J. Russell 2.10 0 Miss N. Russell - 2 10 0 ' C. W. Smith ..: 1 0 0 "R.A." 0 2: 6. Total £18,847 18 3