AID FOR THE SUFFERERS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 156, 21 March 1918, Page 6

AID FOR THE SUFFERERS

APPEALS FOR CLOTHES, ETC. An adm'rable grasp of the situation iu regard to the needs of the people who have been made homeless by the devastating fires has been shown by various local societies. The following letter lias _ been received from Mrs. Massey, wife of the Prime Minister:— 260 Tinakori Rd., Wellington To tho editor, i Dear Sir, —The terrible tire which has destroyed Haetihi has left the people without jiomes, clothing, or any of the necessaries of life. The immediate need of practical as-sistance-must appeal to all who think for ont, minute of the position of these unhappy, homeless settlors, and make them eager to do something to show their sympathy. ' 1 w : ll undertake to forward gifts of good clean clothes, boots, blsiukets, etc., if they are sent addressed to the President, Sydney Street Soldiers' [Club-. —Yours sincerely,

(Signed) C. A. MASSEY,

The organising secretary of the Women's lVatiuual lleserve invites all members to help with the work of cfjllwjlmg clothing for the isuU'erers in the country districts that have been devastated by fire, and also to help with the packing of these clothes. Reserve members who are anxious to help are asked to ring A'o. bOba any day till noon, and after six o'clock in the evening. The distress and suffering which men, women, and children have endured through the tires is very great indeed, and it is feared iliat the full tale of suffering is not yet told so far as the children are concerned—the exposure, fright, smoke, and terrible heat have told very heavily indeed upon them, and all possible assistance is needed.

The Y.W.C.A. is making an urgent appeal for warm Nothing in good condition, which will be packed and forwarded as soon as possible for the relief of the sufferers. The girl members of tlio association, under the direction of Mrs. R. Pearson, will sort and pack, and it is hoped that they will be able to send away a good number of cases without delay. The, distress and misery which these sufferers must be enduring must be self-evident, even to the least lininiiiginativc. and all citi/fwis who can spare warm garments for men, women, and children are asked to forward them to the depot at tho Y.W.C.A. room at the corner of Manners and Herbert Streets. Tlio Tramway Company has notified Mrs: Pearson' that they will most willingly pick ii]) 7jnrcels of clothing left at any of the suburban tramway stations r.nd convey them free of charge to the central depot in Fowlds's Ruildiugs. Herbert Street. Parcels may be left at all hours.

The Mayor of Wellington (Mr. J. P. Luke. M.l'.. CM. CI.), who was » member of Hie party toiirinu; tl'e Wnibrenioaiiii district, learned of the disas•troiis (ires just, as lie .wns leaving Nnnier, on tli'c way hack to 'Wclliiifrlon. Ho itoloKraplied tu llin Town ompliasis'tm the extent of the devastation, and. on he'ialf of the citizens- of Wellington, extending sincere sympp,i\iy to all those affected. Mr. Luke also

expressed his confidence that the people of this city will render all possible aid to the sufferers, and indicated that, on ])it> return, would take steps to inaugurate a relief fund sliould such bu deemed necessary. Mr. Luke arrived back in Wellington last evening. ■ The Y.M.C.A. is combining with the Public Works Department to asv'st the settlers in the stricken district, and ndicers of tile Jissoeintion will leave AVellington to-day with tents, supplies of clothing, etc., for the homeless settlers. By Telesrauli-Presß Association. Wanganui, March 20. A largo public meeting to-night decided to establish a bush fire relief fund to succour the Wainwrino sufferers. Twn hundred nnd fifty pounds were subscribed in the room. It was also decided to take other steps to provide immediate necessities.

EASTER ECC SCHEME DIVERTED. BY N.Z. NATIVES' ASSOCIATION. Mr. George Gapes occupied the chair at a special meeting of the Now Zealand Natives' Association held last evening, when it was ■unanimously decided by the committee to divert the object of the pending Easter egg scheme from a Soldiers' Memorial Home to a hind for the relief of sufferers by the big fire in the Raotihi and Ohakune districts. It was certain, it was said, that many struggling settlers on bush holdings had been practically ruined by the fire, and though a very dear object of years' standing appeared at last to be within reach (m the erection of a Memorial Home for Soldiers), it ■was thought that the needs of those who had lost their homos, and in some cases all their worldly possessions, had a moro urgent claim upon their energies. It was stated at the meeting that there was approximately £30(10 already within sight. The scheme is to be inaugurated on Wednesday next, when the public will bo asked to buy an "egg." This will really he an envelope, with an egg printed on the front. Inside will be found a ticket denoting tho value of the prizes. No articlo given in return for the shilling asked will be of less value than sixpence, and the majority of them will represent orders for goods on fccal firms to a greater value, even up to a latest model Chevrolet car. The scheme has the imprimatur of the Minister of Internal Affairs, and now that the funds are to be given to those people who are at the present time most in need of them, there is little doubt but that the sole of "Easter eggs" will be brisk.