WAR HORTICULTURAL RELIEF FUND

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 152, 16 March 1918, Page 2

WAR HORTICULTURAL RELIEF FUND

Sir,—l venture to ask for tho courtesy of your space to draw attention to the work of tho above fund.

We have all been so intent on winning the war, and, if not actually fighting, havo been so immersed in various kinds of work which conduce to that end, that wo havo had little time for considering the great work of reconstruction that awaits us when the war is over and peace has been declared.

That there will be a prodigious work to be done is a fact which admits of no shadow of doubt. One special part of this work,' which I now write to draw attcntjte to, will be the restoration to life and fertility of the thousands of ruined and devastated .orchards, gardens, and nurseries of our Allies—the French, the Serbs, the Poles, the Belgians, the Rumanians, the Italians—and so enabling (their peasant 'proprietors to resume their aforetime accustomed mode of livelihood. The sacrifices that these people havo been called \upon to make have been incomparably greater than our own, and made in the same great cause.

We have now, however, the opportunity of repaying, to some extent, the debt of gratitude and sympathy which we owe them. Moreover, in so doing, we shall bo assisting to a new prosperity tho nations which wo hope to see arise out of the present turmoil, and shall be helping to lay tho foundations of a uew international sympathy, confidence, and peace. It is believed that these objects can be effectively assisted by tho timely supply and distribution to the victims of Hun barbarity of seeds, plants, trees, cuttlings, implements, and tools, accompanied by expert advice and horticultural oducation. The scope for this work is appallingly great, and the situation mast be grappled with tho moment peace permits. The, War Horticultural Relief Fund, with' tho King and Queen aB patrons, is now devoting itself to collecting throughout the Empire funds to be used in the manner indicated. A strong administrative committee in London is making all the preparations which present circumstances permit for starting work at the earliest possible momont. Something, indeed, has already been done. It is confidently hoped that the appeal of this fund will meet with special sympathy and support in New Zealand. As a country we have suffered less, materially, on (account of the war'than almost any other countrybelligerent or neutral—and we have achieved, as it was right we should, a proud pre-eminence in the _ generosity of our gifts to war charities. But tho needs to be met by the War Horticultural Relief Fund are so crying and insistent that a further appeal is now made with the utmost confidence; and if is hoped to give every individual in the Dominion the opportunity of subscribing to the fund. Offers of help will ;be gladly received and further information supplied. Donations may also' he forwarded (cheques crossed "TJiiion Bank of Australia, Auckland," to '. E. MA.YFIELD.'Liput.-Colonel, Representative of the War Hor- • ticttltural Relief Fund in New.. Zealand. . Tauranga.