STRICKEN COALFIELDS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 539, 17 December 1928, Page 9

STRICKEN COALFIELDS

BIG GOVERNMENT GRANT APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE British Official Wireless RUGBY, Saturday. It is generally anticipated that in the course of his statement on distress in the mining areas to be made in the House of Commons on Monday the Hrime Minister, Mr. Stanley Baldwin, ■"ill announce that the Government is in favour of making an immediate and substantial grant to the Lord Mayor’s fund for relief. If a Treasury contribution is made it will probably be accompanied by an appeal to the public to continue to respond liberally to the fund, and by a *tatement indicating the extent of the Problem. The Government fears the announcement will possibly cause a slackening private donations, which now amount to £145,000. It hopes that a Nationally organised appeal will aim at raising £500,000. in which event the Government will be prepared to add another £500,000. Members of the Royal Family, despite the tenseness of their own anxiety, are mindful of the plight of the stricken people, and are sending toys and clothing. Mr. and Mrs. Lethbridge Abel, of Glasgow, as a thankoffering for the Prince of Wales’s safe return from Africa, have given £ 10,000 for the relief of the poor people of Glasgow.