THE BELGIAN APPEAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 48, 27 February 1915, Page 6

THE BELGIAN APPEAL.

PATHETIC APPEAL TO WORKERS TRADE UNIONS POWERLESS TO STE MTHE TIDE OF MISERY. Wellington, February 27. A pathetic appeal for assistance for the Belgian workers has been received by Mr ; J. Reid, secretary of the United Federation of Labour, from the Butch of Trade Unions. The letter is dated! Amsterdam, December, ;and is addressed to the trade unions-ih the nationaTcentres throughout the world. It draws attention to the pitiable plight' of the Belgian labouring classes as the result of their country, being ravaged by war, and says :■— , , . . -

“Work is stopped in all the factories and workshops, and from the first day hostilities commenced unemployment developed to such an extent that the trade unions were and unable to effectively fight the miseries accruing therefrom, although the utmost has been done. The steps that have been taken were in no way sufficient to keep the workers and their children alive. The Beligan Trade Unions used every possible means to save the organisations from destruction, and to support the members dtfring these tragical moments, but thenmeans were entirely exhausted.” The letter closes with an urgent request for funds from trades organisations, for the Belgian Unions are'at present “undergoing "a" indst Serious and sinister trial.”

—: — ; , -«#, \s The exhibition of flowers and vegetables, etc,, .which is being held in the Town Hall on Thursday next, is being’well supported by members of the Horticultural Society and others. Beautiful decorative effects are promised. All produce for sale for the Belgian Relief Fund will be pricedbeforehand and available to the first purchaser.. The Stratford Municipal Brass Band will supply a musical .jjjjjg gramme in the evening.