RELIEF FOR BELGIANS IN BELGIUM.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 46, 21 September 1916, Page 5

RELIEF FOR BELGIANS IN BELGIUM.

[To Thb Euitob Stkatfohc I’obt.l Sir,—Some months ago a report was circulated* that no more '' tillin' the £15,000 per month then being sent from New Zealand was required, and this false report led to a lessoning ot the subscriptions coming in for the relief of the Belgians. About* ; --two months ago this report was contradicted, and committees again began to collect subscriptions. The “Taranaki Herald” of 11th September, The’“Dominion” of IGth September, and last night’s “Stratford Evening Post” all appealed for further aid as the Belgians in Belgium are in great need ot food. The Germans have taken all the engines, and carriages on the light railways that apparently were used for transport from the canals inland, and thus the transport of food to districts away from the canals is made very difficult. The Germans, however, still keep their word not to touch the supplies distributed by the Neutia! Commission, or to take away produce grown by the Belgians. The above-named and other newspapers, give a terrible description ot the distress of the people from want of sufficient food, and “any amount ot money donated can be immediately used to the best advantage.” An appeal by the British National Committee is signed among others by the Archbishop ot Canterbury, Cardinal Bourne, and the heads of other religious denominations in the 1 nited Kingdom as well as by the Duke et Norfolk, Lord Lansdownc, Lord Bryce. Mr Arthur Henderson, and Mr John Redmond, it is inconceivable if there was any real danger of supplies being misappropriated tbai sucli men. as these would have signed their names to the appeal. Then last night a cable appeared from which 1 extiact ’the following sentences: “There is an alarming increase in tuberculosis pai--1 ticularly among Belgian children due to their lessened power of resistance.” “Owing to inadequate diet there is great mortality among the children.’ At the meeting of the Belgian Belief Committee this afternoon a sum of one hundred pounds was subscribed in the room which added to three hundred pounds already in band made a sum of four hundred pounds voted to be sent to Belgium at once as a special first extra donation lor the Belgians in Belgium. Jtisto be hoped that many large, and small subscriptions will quickly be paid to the secretary (Mr Skoglund) at the Borough Office, so that further succour may bo sent to a people to whom "e owe so much. —Your etc. , G. N. CURTIS, i Chairman, Belgian Relief Committee. Stratford, 20th September, 1916-