SHANNON NOTES

Horowhenua Chronicle, 17 March 1915, Page 4

SHANNON NOTES

(Continued.)

The Rev. J. Crawford gave an account of what had been done at the previous meeting in the Mechanics' Institute, He had a suggestion from the ladies committee that circulars should be issued and a house to house canvass should be made. Mrs Hall sang "The Toilers." Mrs Gibson spoke on behalf of the women and children of Belgium. It was a duty and a privilege to aid them now, for Belgium had checked the first onslaught of the Germans at the expense of her national life. There were 198,000 Belgian refugees in Britain now, and 40,000 children had been born in Belgium since the war— born in poverty and trouble such as we in favoured New Zealand could not understand. AVe had been prosperous and ishould give all we could spare in response to the appeal. Mr Tilling gave a humorous recitation "Boggitz." The Rev. C. Palmer spoke on the appeal to Christian charity and our national gratitude for what Belgium had done. Englishmen could not realise the woe-begone state of the Belgians. He gave a picture of the sad state of the country and its maimed and helpless people whose heroic stand against German aggression had been the salvation of the British Empire. The Rev. J. A. McKenzie said that we as individuals should do all we could to help, apart from any question as to what the Government should do or what the wealthy should do. Each should give what they could, if it was but a penny a week, and tlins share the privilege of helping. The Rev. J. A. Crawford said the question which appealed to him strongly was that of our duty to help the Belgians, because they were our Allies and we were at one with them and should help them to bear their sorrows. It was a matter of honour. The Belgians had done their duty and if we failed we would hand down to posterity the disgrace of our cowavdiee and failure to do our duty. Mr Venn said it was a wrong idea to call it charity: it was not. It was only a just return for what the Belgians had done for us. and in fact we could not repay them. He objected to the contributions being; on a population bas's; it should he on a wealth basis. A hearty vote cf thanks was ed to the 'inirer,v and spankers. Mr Hennessy suggested that the <Tniry fanners and sheep farmers «hon)d contribute : n proportion to their prclii" tions which had gained by the war. Mr Ju 'd moved that tho monthly subscription scheme be adopted, and Mr Crawford seconded the motion, which was carried. It was resolved that the provisional committee previously appointed be a working committee with power to add and work in conjunction witli the ladies' committee. 'Apologies were made for the absence of Mr Waring-Taylor and Rev. Father Cronin. Mr Venn moved: That this meeting of settlers and town residents trust the proposed war tax be placed where it can bo easiest carried, namely by a super-tax on large estates, large incomes. imported luxuries and totalisator permits, and that it will not be necessary to increase the Customs tariff on life's necessaries. That a copy of the above be sent to the Hon. the Premier. Mr Gunning seconded the motion. He would like to see foreign wire and tools taxed so as to give Britain preference. Mr Hennessy- supported the motion.

After some further discussion the proceedings terminated.