AN EFFORT FOR HEL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2467, 21 May 1915, Page 9

AN EFFORT FOR HEL

SERVIA'S TERRIBLE DISTRESS

(To the Editor.) I write to you- for help, and being a Now Zealander feel sure it will be given. Servia is in more urgent need of help than any of our allies. The Bishop of London in his speech of March 22 said:— "We have to stand by our ally in fighting for the most magnificent cause in the world. It has all conic out—the long-conceived plot to conquer the | world —and we all know that poor little Servia was merely the occasion and not the cause. I do not think there was ever such a 'give-away' in political life as the speech of the ex-Premier of Italy (Signor Giolitti). in which he disclosed that a year ago he was asked to consent to tile attack upon Servia. If anything in tho world is clear before God and man it is that Servia and Belgium have gallantly stood in "the way of one of the most bare-faced attempts to conquer the world by force." _ One hesitates to ask the people of New Zealand for more money—they have given so wonderfully, and we know well in many cases it has meant great pinching and self-denial. Yet can we let. men be on the battlcfierds to die because there is no on© to tie up. wounds, few hospitals, fewer doctors and nurses P The pictures in the papers are heart-breaking, streets congested with sick men lyinor on the pavements, in the few hospitals they lie sideways on the mattrasß, three and four patients on each! Due to the great courtesy and generosity of the editor of the "Daily Mail, London, his splendid articles were given me, and I ask you to publish them so that all who read your paper may help Servia in her desperate need. Wo owe it, as a debt of honour, as much as we do to Belgium. No contribution is too small, and none too big, for they have not even the bare necessities of life. Britain -is helping, but the calls oil her are so heavy, so many, she cannot do anything great. These articles I have also sent to the "Otago Daily Times," "Lyttelton Times," and "Auckland Weekly News." Thus with your valuable combined work every part of New Zealand will be appealed to, and hundreds of j'oung lives saved by your help. It is wonderful the sums collected in the smallest of coins. I enclose the list of things wanted, but as huts, tents, hospitals, doctors and nurses are so urgent, money seems the most practical help, perhaps, though men's clothes are much needed. The address is:—"The Servian Relief Fund, 55 Berners Street, London, W." But you will perhaps prefer to send anything collected to the High Commissioner.

As I finish news comes that Germany is preparing to send 100,000 men against Servia, in the endeavour to force a clear road to Constantinople. Now, indeed, is the need of the Servians more desperate.—l am, etc., (HISS) BLANCHE S'. TURTON. London, March 27, 1915.

[Enclosure.] List of Goods Chiefly Required. Bandages (roller, triangular, T-ban-dages, many4ail), wide flannel bandages >(6in. to lOin.), lint, adhesive plaster, gauze by the yard. Waterproof sheeting, hot-water bottles, rubber gloves, chloroform, disinfectant tabloids. Blankets, sheets, pillows, pillow-cases, draw-sheets, towels, dusters, old linen. Dressing-gowns, pyjamas, bed-jackets, surgical and helpless case shirts, operation soeks, slippers. Dark blue overalls for dressers, surgeons' coats, nurses' aprons, needles, thread, safety pins, etc. Men's clothing of- all kinds, warm, and in good condition.

Flannel shirts, vests and pants, cholera belts, socks, cardigans, mufflers, mittens, helmets, etc., and Money, money, money. [We have decided to open a fund for contributions as suggested by our correspondent, and will arrange to forward any subscriptions sent to us. The matter is mentioned in our editorial columns.]