Second Edition. New Zealand

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 63, 17 March 1915, Page 6

Second Edition. New Zealand

BELGIAN RELIEF FUND,

MANAWATU FARMER’S PRACTICAL SYMPATHY AND APPEAL. v■ v *

Peb Press Association. Palmerston North, March 17

Mr P. A. McHardy, the well-known Manavvatu farmer, has donated £IOOO to the Belgian Fund. In a letter to the “Standard,” covering cheque, he says: “As a producer, and one who is deriving increased revenue from the efforts of those who are dying fighting, enduring hardships and torture, and having their country laid waste and their homes destroyed, it is my return of something to those who are so nobly defending our existence, whose sufferers are "wounded, maimed, destitute, and in need of immediate care, attention, and assistance. The .increased price of produce is in my opinion conscience money or ill gotten gains—gains derived from the British and Allies on land and from their fleets at sea. "Whatever we give is .urgently wanted by those who are upholding our side across the sea. The only consolation left to Belgium is her honor: For this she has laid down, her life and sacrificed her country. She is still fighting to help ns and our Allies to smash the awful oppression which threatens our existence. Do not let us withhold our generosity or stay oiir assistance until it is too late, for this Nation did not hesitate to fling itself in the enemy’s paws and so prevented war which might have lasted many years and bo of grave consequences to the Colonies as a whole. Let us not stay our gifts behind suggestions that the enemy may get portion, or that they should be first driven out of Belgium. We have assurances that money will be spent in the interest and welfare of those for whom it is intended, and the appeals through the Press afford reading which will °P en _ the hearts of 'those in a position to give assistance. Surely our country is not going to be found wanting in loyalty to those whose debt it is impossible to' repay ip coin.” WOOLLENS FOR THE TROOPS. THE POSITION OF THE WOOLLEN TRADE IN THE DOMINION. Auckland, Match 17. A representative of the Federal Government arrived by the Riverina in order to purchase supplies of woollens for the Australian army. He has placotZn ei ' S f ° r 96 ’ 000 nay y sweaters, 212.000 knitted underpants, 200 000 knitted shirts, 240,000 pairs sox, and 1.112.000 yards of flannel, the last item alone costing £60,000. " It is doubtful if the whole of the mills of New Zealand can supply the order. A representative of the Ernce Woollen Mills (Milton), says:—“At present the merchants and millers are putting up with inconvenience and loss of trade in order to supply the requirements of our own forces. Australia’s demand accentuates the position, and will mean curtailing the requirements ot the Dominion and the raising of prices until they are almost prohibitive. The Federal Government is prepared to accept ten per cent, of cotton mixture, but the New Zealand duty of 4d per lb. on raw cotton shuts that out He suggested that the Government mould lift the duty, enabling the returning troopships to bring in supplies from Egypt.” The Chief of General Staff, Welling. t°n, announces that all restrictions are now removed on the publication of ordinary clipping news, states the Dress Association.