THE STARVING BELGIANS

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 152, 2 March 1915, Page 3

THE STARVING BELGIANS

NEED TOR BELIEF MEASURES. <‘DA MN THE "'G EEMA NB.'’ MELBOURNE, Feb. 28. The Methodist Conference discussed, the Belgian appeal. Several members feared that the Germans might confiscate any money sent. The Rev. Cox exclaimed, “If the Germans should confiscate the money, lot them be damned.’’ Tlio. remark was loudly cheered, and £203 subscribed to the fund in ten minutes. ONLY FOOD FOB ANOTHER MONTH. COMMISSION’S PATHETIC APPEAL. SYDNEY, Feb. 2S The Belgian Commission cables regret at the failure of negotiations re accommodation between belligerents whereby the Finance CommUsh-rs can work. The unaltered fact is that Belgium’s seven millions must be feu. The Commission does not propose to lay down the burden because no remedy is actually in view. From various sources the Commission has delivered nil lion pounds’ worth of food, and has another £1,100,000 worth on route, >et there is only enough to last a month. It should bo borne in mind that money and food arc net interchangeable in Belgium. At the present moment the whole population is on daily rations. Though the Commission were in possession of millions of money it could not buy one more atom of food than is given the most destitute. The Commission will cease to send fmd lira instant the Germans fail vr abide by the agreement not to r*»'iui*5 s t ! on foods! uO's. Belgium’s destitute people r.re wards of the world. There is no solution for misery and hunger save charity. Haying failed to secure the Government's help, the Commission appeals to tiro individual mercy of people in every land.

A PATHETIC APPEAL. TO TRADE UNIONS. WELLINGTON, Feb.' 2/. A pathetic appeal for assistance ro Belgian workers has been received by Mr J. Reid, secretary of the United Federation of Labour, from the Butch Federation of Trade Unions. The letter is dated Amsterdam, December, and is addressed to Trade Union national circles throughout the world. The letter draws attention to (he pitiable plight of the Belgian labouring classes as a result of their country being ravaged by war, and says: “Work was stopped in all factories and workshops the first day hostilities commenced. Unempolymcnt has dovclopo 1 io such an extent that the trade unions are powerless, and unable to effectively fight the miseries accruing therefrom. Although the utmost has been done the steps taken are in no way sufficient to keep the workers and their children alive. The Belgian trade unions have used every possible means t save their organisations from destruction, and to support their members during these tragic moments, but their means arc entirely exhausted.” The letter closes with an urgent request for funds from trades organisations for the Belgian Unions, at present “undergoing the most serious and sinister trial.”