THE CRY FROM BELGIUM

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2521, 23 July 1915, Page 9

THE CRY FROM BELGIUM

MESSAGE OP APPRECIATION. In the House of Representatives yesterday tlie Prime Minister read the following message, forwarded through the High Commissioner, from the Lord Mayor of London: — "As chairman of tlie National Committee for Relief in Belgium, I desire to express our unbounded admiration for the wonderful generosity of the people of New Zealand. In two months and a half I have transmitted to Mr. Hoovers, Neutral Commissioner, for the purchase of food, over £156,000, contributed entirely by New Zealand during the very period mentioned, in addition to thousands of pounds previously sent to keep the Belgians in Belgium alive. The benevolence and humanity of your people at homo can only compare with the magnificent gallantry of your forces in our far-flung fighting line. In the words of King Albert, 'Belgium will ever remember the brotherly aid so lavishly bestowed.' I only hope it may be possible to continue this generosity through winter months, which threaten to intensify the misery of the brave people in Belgium.—(Signed) Charles Johnston, Lord Mayor."

Mr. Massey said it was satisfactory to know that the generosity of the people of New Zealand 1 had been appreciated by the people most concerned.

Sir Joseph AYard said it appeared to him tliat the appeal for aid in the coming winter should not go -unheard. Possibly there bad been a surfeit of people going round the country asking for special donations, but it seemed to him that a special effort might be made for the people of Belgium. Mr. Craigie: Let the Government do it.

Mr. Hanan: The Government ought to do it.

Mr. Massey said the Government had agreed to send £120,000 a year in aid of the Belgians -until tho end of the Avar.