DISTRESS IN GREAT BRITAIN

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 February 1909, Page 4

DISTRESS IN GREAT BRITAIN

A SAD. SAD STORY

RELIEF FOR THE SUFFERERS

[BX TEI.EOU.vrJI—SPECIAL TO THE WAR 1

DUNEDIN, This Day

The unemployed distress in Grcal Britain fame before the Duncdin I'resbvtorv to-day iii the form of nn appeal from the Trades and Labour Council of Otago one clause of which Mated : "And mav we ask Iho Christian churches to' help-? We realise Iho calls arc main bill this great crisis demands a special effort." The Rev. Dr. N'isbel (.First Church) expressed Ihe opinion thai ilio Church should speak "Ul more oftvn and more strongly ivyartlins* the causes thai led to "this state of affairs bnl that was not jusl now the point which was Ih'e alleviation of the undoubted distress. This was a far greater disaster than what had lately occurred in Italy. The latter had been dramatic and' had worked such sympathy that 1-r-' sums had boon sen! to sufferers in italv bul ia Britain the number of Miffert'fs wa.s far larger and their suffering's far more acute. The Presbvlerv should hearlilv endorse ihe app'eal issued by tlio Trades and Labour Council. Hi' moved : 'That i the Presbytery cordially endorses the

appeal made by (lie Trades and Labour Council and commend it heartily tc! the sympathy Mini support of our people ami instruct the oilier Imaivr-, of congregations within the bounds lo afford facilities by means of subscription 1 i>t s and collections '"'' the | practical inniiifclsati f the same." J Rev J)r. N'icolsou (Itavensbourne) said it was im|>ossible t» exaggerate the fearful crisis existing in the- Old Country which he feared would ex- j lend own to our happy and prosper- ! mis doiiiinioii before loiitj. It was I well that th ■ Imperial sentiment should be practical." llrv. John Kilpalrieli (tJrcen Island) thought the present a good opportunity for the Churches t>> get into riiiiili with the Trades and Labour (Council. Hi- mi-'.-I -d the possibility of a deinoiistration being made b\ ilie I'resbylon or In coiiiliiiii'il Churches acting in conjunction with th" Trades and Labour Council. low \\\ Si-orgi;- (Morninglon) thought something should !>.• done by j th.' individual congregations. lie had already arranged for collections j in his own rhnrch. Ik-v. Mr Sutherland (Kaikorai) | said there was no knowing how long the present distress might continue, j Furl Hit efforts might be necessary. ! Thf Presbytery should express admir- j aiion for "the' Trades and Labour I

r.'oiini'il having taken the matter up -" readily and heartily. Lev. .Mr 'l'ennent (Port Chalmers), suggesiod that I hi' Presbytery might appoint a isotial lira.suivr to receive the contributions of various Churches as a lump sum from the deiiomina lion would !>•• better than dribs and drabs from the individual churches. It was decided that all contributions received should be sent direct to ihe Trades and Labour Council.