The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE. TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 1920. FAMINE STRICKEN CHILDREN.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3560, 24 August 1920, Page 4

The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 1920. FAMINE STRICKEN CHILDREN.

With which is incorporated "The Taihape Post and Waimarino News."

A matter of world-wide human interest was brought under the notice of the Taihape Chamber of Commerce, in annual meeting assembled, last night, by the Presbyterian and Methodist ministers. These two gentle men pointed out that children, particularly in Austria, were in the veiy worst conceivable conditions of starvation; that there was no visible prospect of improved means of stemming the famine unless their case was taken in hand by virtually all the nations of the earth who made any claim to humane civVsaticn. Feeding the childre nof Ausc.ia alone is, perhaps, a much more complex and difficult problem than is at once realised. It is not a matter that has been left .out of the calculations of Austria's hitherto enemies, an \ many millions of pounds worth of food and clothing has already been sent for free distribution in that very 3nuch war ravaged country. It is undoubtedly true that Austrian children, are having to undergo a fearful pmishment for the indiscretions of tUeir parents and government; a Lcaltby, sturdy race is rapidly transformed by starvation into a ma.ss of diseased human skeletons This may be the aftermath of war, but it is by no means war, and the whole civilised world's sympathy has been aroused, and Denevoient machinery put in motion for the purpose of getting succour to Austrian infants and children at the very earliest possible moment. No plainer or more appalling illustration of delay being death is more impressed upon humanitj" than is presented in the children of Austria's sad situation While v/e are of opinion that the Mayor o'' the tow n should have initiated and publicly drawn attention to this subject, the Chamber of Commerce realised that it was one that would not permit of standing upon ceremony, and. although the deputation of Ministers furnished no definite plans or ("fails of action, Chamber of Commerce members quickly, and with remarkable unanimity, had their proposals clothed with practicable formulae. A public meeting will probably be called, and a n Austrian Baby Relief Committee be appointed-to devise the best, speediest and most helpful way of prosecuting the campaign, and it must be left to whatever executive is appointed to consider and recommend what course of action Taihape efforts | will take. In com-idering the general i aspect it is recognised that Allied nations have already been deeply concerned with the" necessity for financing hungry Europe. Inter-Allied conferences have been held, resulting in millions of pounds worth of meat, grain, milk and clothing being shipped to the most stricken countries. It will be noted that, an adverse exchange rate of money has contributed in no small degree to middle "Europe's famine conditions; the purchasing power of Austrian and German currency having been reduced to almost van- i ishing point. Money which before the war would have found a family food for a year will now barely keep the family for one week. Therefore it will be seen that while generous people the world over give temporary relief, an international currency policy must be evolved and adopted if speedy.and permanent rehabilitation of life and industry in conquered countries is sincerely sought. But the fact rias to be faced that the United States Government is not prepared to go en lending money for the purpose

of financing hungry Europe. It was pointed out that early in this year the financial assistance then rendered by way of loans had reached an ag gregate of something like £850,000,000; and the Secretary to the Treasury stated that the United 'States could not, if it would, "assume the burdens of the whole earth." Since then, however,The Grain Corporation has been permitted to expend about £10,009,000 in food for Europe. A Bill passed in the House of Representatives for another £15,000,000, but this was very strongly opposed by the Republican party. Despite strained financial difficulties Britain has performed an admirable part without quibble or fuss. Mr Lloyd George informed America that despite financial strain Britain was prepared, over and above £12,500,000 voted this year, to contribute a further sum for European relief to tlte extent of half what the United Stat:r would give. The Canadian Government also intimated its 1 desire to contribute, and the hope of the British Government is that all Allied and neutral governments will co-operate in relieving the truly desperate calamitous conditions now prevailing particularly in Austria. This represents the situation from the Allied governments' point of view, and as governments can only find money to deal with such conditions in a broad and general way, what attitude should well-to-do individuals in Allied countries, including New Zealand, not do in dealing with the particularly desperate condition of Austrian children? The movement in this connection should be nationwide, but in the absence of such national organisation, it becomes the concern of communities and individuals, and the pulse of the Chamber of Commerce beat strongly and audibly at last nights' meeting in favour of prompt and definite action being taken in the Taihape district.