“SAVE THE CHILDREN”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19474, 8 May 1925, Page 11

“SAVE THE CHILDREN”

DISTRESS AMONG GREEKS AND ARMENIANS.

Wo have received t.lie following lotlcr from his Worship the Mayor: — Mrs H. H. Driver, one of our wellknown social workers, has brought under my notice an appeal that has been made to her through the organisation of the “Save the Children Fund,” which is commended by the British Government for funds towards assisting the starving Greek and Armenian refugee children. I havo perused the correspondence giving the gruesome details of the frightful conditions existing, and wo as citizens cannot turn a deaf oar to the organisation of a 1 fund in our city, to assist in ameliorating the dreadful distress that exists. I would bo glad if the newspaper’s would open a subscription list in their columns and accent contributions. The following extracts are from an appeal issued by the ‘'Save the Children Fund” which is co-operating with the Imperial War Relief Fund in the All British appeal:— Two years ago (1922) a million refugees swhrmed into Greece as a result of the Turko-Greck war. Of those about 500,000 havo become settled through the efforts of the Greek Government, the Relief Societies, and the League cf Nations. The remaining 500,000 are still destitute and their numbers are being swelled by a further influx of 180,000 from Constantinople and Asia Minor under the exchange of population. 'lhere are therefore still about 700,000 dependent on charity, . . . Since 1922 the British ■people have been feeding 40,000 of these people daily, of whom 26,000 are childdron. Hundreds of those families are camped out in the open, without shelter except, what they got from the back of a house or shed, or rudely-fixed pieces of sacking. Thousands are in tents and barracks. The Greek Government and the League of Nations arc doing what, thew can to settle the refugees on the land and to find them occupations. The Relief Funds have kept many of the refugees alive by providing one meal a day for them. Women and children are suffering the, most appalling hardships. Dr W. A. Kennedy, Chief Administrator of the “Rave the Children Fund,” recently cabled to London from Athens: — 'Jliroughout the Near East child life of nil nationalities suffering from lack of food and clothing. Outlook for children for next few years almost hopeless. All agencies working fullest extent unable meet present serious situation. Foreign relief imperative to mitigate distress. Urgent appeals to extend our help destitute refugees this area reaching us daily. Other statements of more or less recent date include the following:— Dr Nansen: ‘T appctil to you to show these holnloss victims that the charity of Christ still lives.” The Bishop of London: ‘‘Their destitution is almost beyond imagining. It lias astonished mo that a normal iamily can bo kent alive for four months for £5.” The'Lord Mayor of London: “If a man or woman or child came starving to your door in oven a tenth of the tattered and hollow-cheeked distress of these refugees, you would not havo the heart to turn them away. Does it cost so very much more trouble Jo put a donation in the post ?” The Times (London) : “Whole families are living in damp, unvontilated oaves whore the rats challenged in their rights of possession revenge themselves by gnawing tho ears of the children that huddle with their parents.” The appeal has boon warmly commended by the Earl of Oxford and Asquith, Messrs J. Ramsay MacDonald, and Stanley Baldwin. loaders of the three great political parties in .England, and by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Cardinal Bourne, Brincipal Alfred E. Garvin, and J. 11. Hertz. Chief Rabbi. Those names carry the highest authority and are an assurance that any funds contributed will bo expended to the best advantage.