The Belgian Fund.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 4, 14 May 1915, Page 2

The Belgian Fund.

We would draw our readers’ attention to the fact that a subscription list for the Belgian Relief Fund lies open at the Town Board Office. So far the sum of 5 shillings has been subscribed.

While other places have done nobly in subscribing to this Fund, Huntly, as yet, has done but little. It is true that one or two entertainments have been got up, and that a fair amount of money has been raised by these means, but surely the people of Huntly are not going to rest satisfied that they are doing their duty by paying odd shillings, for which they get an adequate return ! We must never forget, that the peace and prosperity we are at present enjoying in this ■ Dominion are largely cue to the inestimable sacrifices of the little Belgians, and not only to the men, but to the women and children, who have suffered unnameable hardships and outrage, sooner than allow their country to be stultified by the breaking of a treaty. Had the Belgians given the Germans free passage through their land, they would practically have suffered no injury. As it is, the injury they have received can never be repaid. But we, who have gained so much from their sacrifice, can help to relieve their present necessities, which are great, bv providing food and clothing for those who have lost house, home and employment, and are starving in the cause of righteousness. If these people are allowed to starve it will be an everlasting disgrace to the British- Empire, and if we in this town do not our share, then we must participate in that disgrace: , The representatives of the various patriotic committees and the Minister of Defence have conferred together and promulgated a scheme by which New Zealand shall send £ISOOO per month to help in the relief of the Belgians. Of this, the Government will provide £SOOO and will also subsidise any amount raised by private subscription on a £ for £ basis up to £SOOO a month. So that the burden shall full as evenly as possible, the provinces have been asked to provide monthly amounts on a population basis. The amount to be provided by Auckland Province under this arrangement is £1325 per month, and on the same basis, Huntly’s share would be about £l3 per month, or 3d per family per week. Surely this is not beyond us, and we must be in a very bad way indeed if we cannot do this or double.

We appeal to the people of Huntly to wake up and to do at least their bare duty in this matter, and to see that subscriptions are sent in regularly. Who ot us, would like to think in after years, that we had allowed these poor people to starve for the sake of a few odd threepences. We are convinced that the apparent slackness in Huntly is due to a lack of knowledge and that now the facts have been made known, Huntly will, as it always has, respond nobly to the call.