FOR THE BELGIANS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2457, 10 May 1915, Page 7

FOR THE BELGIANS

4 . THE LIMIT REACHED, • Faced -with high prices of commodities, and endloss appeals to his generosity, the average railwayman (who patriotically continues to' work at the same prico as before war broke out and ablebodied mon became scarce) has, states the "New Zealand Raihva.v Review, 1 ' begun to think that the limit of financial sacrifice has been reached. Several branches of the A.S.R.S. have declined ' to subscribe to the special railway fund for the Belgians, and one of tho largest, Otago, puts its reasons quite pointedly ill the following resolution: — "That, whilst expressing the deepest sympathy with the Belgians, we would, inform the Committee of the Otago Patriotic and General Welfare Association that the Otago Branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants have from the commencement of the war circulated a list each month for the purpose of raising funds to relieve distress, but owing to the unpatriotic action of a section of the comrauiiity in so enormously increasing the cost of commodities, our members have found it impossible to contribute in as liberal a maimer as we would desire. "Therefore this meeting of railwaymen respectfully suggests to your committee that the best method of obtaining funds is by approaching those persons in possession of funds, and with this object in view we would direct your attention to farmers, merchants, brewers, and others. Wo would further suggest that your committee uses its influenco with the Government for the purpose of immediately imposing a war tax 011 those best ablo to bear it, a- portion of the thus raised to be devoted to the' Belgians." Mr. H. M'Keowen, lion, secretary Wellington Railway Belgian Relief Committee, wrote suggesting co-opera-tion in raising funds. It was resolved: "That a reply in terms of tho previous resolution bo forwarded."