THE BELGIAN FUND.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1369, 4 March 1915, Page 3

THE BELGIAN FUND.

REPLY FROM THE PREMIER,

The Mayor received the following letter in reply from the Prime Minister yesterday : “I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th ultimo, forwarding copy of a resolution passed at a public meeting at Foxton, urging an increase in the land and income tax for the purpose of providing funds tor the relief of distressed Belgians. In reply, I have to inform you that 1 have noted the reasons given in support of the request, and shall be' glad to bring the matter before the Hon. the Minister 0; Finance for consideration.”

The following letter has been forwarded to the Premier by Mr W. H. Field, M.P. for this electorate : “With respect to the sad plight of the Belgian people concerning which a pathetic appeal reached us from the Belgian Relief Commission a few days ago, I desire to express to you the views I have all along held ou the subject of contributions from this country, not only to the Belgian fund, but also to the patriotic and other funds established in consequence of the war. There is no question that uot only our Empire, but every civilised country, is under a deep debt of gratitude to the Belgians, and this debt can never be fully paid. Their brave defence of their country, and splendid resistance of German aggression at the outset ot the war, just gave England and France the necessary time to prepare for the prevention of a world wide disaster, The resulting loss, ruin and misery Belgium and its people have sutfered, and will yet suffer, is incalculable. Our plain duty is to put forth every effort to relieve the distress, but, while I would uot for a moment discourage private contributions, I am strongly of opinion that the main burden should be borne by the State Itself. It we give liom the Public Treasury, then one and all of us will furnish our share, whereas if we mainly depend on private generosity many will escape who are well able to help. lam aware the matter is under the Government’s consideration, and that it is urgently necessary to come to an immediate decision. I strongly advocate such a substantial monthly contribution from our public funds as will constitute at least New Zealand’s fair proportion of the amount nseded, always provided of course that we can be assured that any. money or goods provided by us shall reach the Belgians, uot the Germans.”

THE PREMIER’S REPLY. The following reply has been received from the Premier by Mr W. H. Field, in reference to the above : “I duly received your letters of the 25th ultimo, with reference to the recent appeal tor further funds for the relief of distressed Belgians. There appears to be an impression among a number of the public that the Government should have rushed in with an offer of assistance on the publication of certain statements in the press last week, aud committed the country to an indefinite expenditure. Perhaps I should state that the Governor has telegraphed at the request of Government twice to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, with a view to ascertaining the real state of affairs in Belgium and for an assurance that gifts of money and food would reach the persons they are intended for. So far we have not received a reply from Home. Cabinet has, in the meantime, approved of ,£15,000 being made available immediately from the Consolidated Fund for the relief ot Belgians, with more to follow monthly, if the Government can be given an assurance that the money and food purchased therewith will be used lor the purpose for which they are intended.” WOMEN’S SEWING GUILD.

The first meeting of the Foxton Women’s Sewing Guild was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday afternoon. There was a good attendance and it was not long before the interior of the chamber represented a hive of industry. A quantity of material was supplied and this Was cut out aud attended to with deft fingers. As a result of last night’s picture entertainment funds will now be in hand to purchase a large quantity ol material for making up into suitable garments. If things progress at the- present rate it will not be long belore the first consignment is ready to be forwarded. We understand that several ladies who have not the leisure to devote to the guild intend to contribute in cash. Anyhow, the guild is well under way aud through its efforts a number of the poor of Great Britain and Belgium will be provided with much-needed clothing.