War Horticultural Relief Fund

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 357, 5 March 1918, Page 1

War Horticultural Relief Fund

[To tiik Editor"]

Sir,—l venture to ask for the courtesy o£ your space to draw attention to the work of tho above Fund.

We havo all boen &o mtent on winning tho war, an«i, if not actually fighting, havo been so immersed in various kinds of work which conduce to that end, that we have had little time for considering the great work of reconstruction that uwaits us when the war is over and [leace has been declared.

That there will bo a prodigious work to bo done is a fact which admits of no shadow of doubt Ono special part of this work, which J now write to draw attention t>, will be the restoration t > life and fortiltty of the thousands of ruined and devastated orchards, gardens, and nurseries of our Allies '.ho French, the Herbs, the Poles, the Belgians, the Roumanians, the Italians—and so enabling tin ir peasant proprietors to resume ih< ir af.iretiu.e accustomed mo e of livelihood. The sacrifices that people have been called upon Di make have been incomparably greater •ban our own, and made in the sanio (~re.it cause.

Wo have now, however, the opportunity ut repaying, to some extent, the debt of gratitude aud sympathy which we owe them. Moreover, i'i so, we shall be assisting to a i.eu prosperity the nations which v. houo to sco arise out of the present turmoil, and shall be helping to lay the foundations of a new international sympathy, confidence and , eace. It is belie\< d that these ibj< c.is can be effectively assisted by tiiet'iuely supply and distribution to ti.e victims of Hun. barbarity, of needs, plants, iree: j , cuttings, implements aud tools, accompanied by expert advice and horticultural education. The scope for this work is appallingly great, and the situation

must be grappled with the moment peace permits. The War Horticultural Relief Fund, with the King and Queen as Patrons, is now devoting itself to collecting throughout the Empire funds to be used in the manner indicated. A strong Administrative Committee in London is making all the preparations which present circumstances pemit, for starting work at the earliest possible moment. Something, indeed, has already been done. It is confidently hoped that the appeal of this Fund will meet with special sympathy and support in New Zealand. As a country we have suffered less, materially, on account of the war than almost any other country —belligerent or neutral—and we have achieved, as it was right we should, a proud preeminence in the generosity of our gifts to war charities.

But the needs to be met by the War Horiicultural Relief Fund are so crying and insistent that a further appeal is now made with the utmost confidence; and it is hoped to give every individual in the Dominion the opportunity of subscribing to the Fund. Offers of help will be gladly received , and further information supplied. Donations may also be be forwarded (cheques crossed " Union Bank of Australia, Auckland ") to E. MAYFIELD, Lieut-Colonel, Representative of the War Horticultural Relief Fund in New Zealand. Tauranga, 28/2/18.