New Zealand.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 50, 2 March 1915, Page 5

New Zealand.

THE BELGIAN APPEAL

STATE CONTRIBUTION OF £15,000

A MONTH.

Pee Press Association

Wellington, March 1

The Prime Minister states that the question of assistance towards the relief of Belgian distress was considered at a meeting of Cabinet to-day.-The decision of the Government is contained in the following telegram which the Prime Minister has sent to His Excellency the Governor: “The Prime Minister begs to request that His Excellency will inform the Secretary of State for the Colonies hy telegraph that the New Zealand Government is prepared to forward immediately £15,000 from the Consolidated Fund for the relief of distressed Belgians, with more to follow monthly, if the New Zealand Government can be given an assurance that the money or food purchased therewith will be used for the purpose for which it is intended. (Signed.) W. F. Massey.” In reply to a cable sent to the Belgian Ambassador in London, the Consul at Wellington has been informed that the relief fund is mostly employed in purchasing foodstufLs distributed in Belgium through the American Commission, which has the written assurance of Germany against interference. The system is satisfactory.

WANGANUI RESOLUTIONS. Wanganui, March 1. At a meeting of the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce to-night, the following resolution was passed:— “That this meeting is of opinion that, providing assistance for the Belgians is beyond the scope of private subscription, that relief should be given systematically by the Dominion Government, and that all should be compelled to contribute; also that £25,,000 monthly should be forwarded.” It was further resolved to forward a copy of the resolution to the Premier.

The Town Clerk, in a ( letter to the Press, proposed a 5 per cent, tax on totalisator dividends. On the basis of the turnover in the Dominion during the past few years, the proposed tax would provide £IBO,OOO per annum for the relief of the Belgians. This proposal has met with the general approval of Press and public.

STEPS TAKEN IN BRITAIN. United Press Association. Sydney, March 1. Replying to Mr Holman’s cable respecting the Belgians’ appeal, Sir T. A. Coghlan, High Commissioner in London, states that the Germans have not interfered with Belgian food supplies since the beginning of December, and have faithfully kept their agreement. The British Government has not given a monthly subvention, beyond a donation of £IOO,OOO, but is willing to make up the Commission’s deficit, provided the Germans cease their pecuniary levies. Sir Edward Grey’s statement was really addressed beyond the Commission to German and neutral opinion. The Forr eign Office is exceedingly sorry if Sir Edward’s statement has interfered with the flow of private charitable contributions. A powerful English committee is being formed, with Lord Bryce as chairman, to privately carry nut what the Government would like to do, but what it is prevented from I doing by German levies on the conquered country. The Foreign Office states that the situation regarding , private contributions remains exactly j the same as before Sir Edward Grey’s letter was written.