The Daily News. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1914. PRACTICAL HELP.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 107, 29 September 1914, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1914. PRACTICAL HELP.

I'; is one of the characteristics of the British race that honor takes pride ot place, hence the reason for Britain opposing the German hordes in their attempt to trample under foot brave little Belgium. That the same, feeling exists in the dominions lias been clearly shown by tho ready and eager way in whi'h the cause of the Motherland was taken up by Ore overseas branches of the Empire. It was a point of honor with them t-. share tile burdens of the war, and shall it not also be a point of even greater honor to alleviate the hardships, the distress and the sufferings that must inevitably result from the gigantic struggle? There can lie one. sentiment on this point, the only question being as to the best means for meeting and dealing with the dire want ar.d cruel distress that looms largo in the United Kingdom and in Belgium. Actuated by a noble impulse, the people of New Zealand have most generously given to the patriotic funds which were set on foot throughout the Dominion, besides seeing to it that the members of file expeditionary forces were provided with comforts and useful additions to their kits. This, however, was but the initial effort, though tho response was far beyond all expectations. The occasion is one that, unfortunately, calls for actual self-sacrifice in that the cry of the widows, tho orphans, the parents, and other relatives of the killed and wounded brings with a call for practical help and sympathy. In tho case of the Belgians, the area for compassion is even of ,far greater extent, for their country is being devastated, and the, means of livelihood extinguished by barbamn Teutonic marauders, iSo British heart which is rightly attuned can help pulsating with throbs of pity for the victims of the war. To New Zealandera especial')', enjoying as they do the gretvt blessings of prosperity and abundance, should the cause of the poor and distressed appeal with telling force. At this time of the year we in the Dominion aro o» th« verge of summer, with all its advantages and anticipated wealth producing power, but in the Homeland and on the Continent the -bitter winter season is approaching its short days, being made more drear and darlc by reason of the horrors of the most cruel and bitter war in history. Now is the time for our best and noblest impulses to have full play. There is not a man, woman or grown child in the Dominion who, possessing the will, cannot find the way to help in some measure in tho Immune effort to support tho needy and afllicted people to whom we liavo r"fcrred above. The time for giving to patriotic funds has passed, mid that for contributing literally to the relief funds nas arrived. In place of the former wc are pleased to see that already there is a well-timed movement to create a national fund for the relief of the poor and distressed in Great Britain and Belgium. It must bo remembered that apart from the havoc caused by tho war the injury to trade and industrial operations, operations must bring about a vast amount of unemployment and consequent privation and suffering. Ilcnec the need for assistance is doubly urgent, and must not, even if it could, be ignored. Here, again, a point of honor is at stake, from a national as well as an individual standpoint. In the first- place, it would bo only right and just for the Government to take the lead and set an example for the people to follow. By making a substantial grant out of tho Consolidated I'und tho whole of the community would be contributing, and this is the only way of reaching those who, in their extreme selfishness, would never give to this or any other worthy caus». It is well known that many Who gave grudgingly, or not at all, to the patriotic fund, would reaaily contribute to a relief fund, and are prepared to give of their means towards alleviating distress. All the wage-earners in New Zealand couid, if they so pleased, easily spare, a day's pay j per month, and no doubt will do so now I' that a National Belief Fund is initiated. What is needed is not so much an aDi preeinbie donation in ono amount ao much r.s the. securing of a constant (supply of funds while the war lasts, and even IVr som-i timo afterwards, so that those who are destitute may he fed, iloth'-.1. anil decently housed. In TaraDaki, gifts of produce might woll be regularly i 1 e by the farmers and sent [or distribution where needed. In the grazing districts, from the large runhohlprs down to the smallest fanner, each could well contribute live stock according to his abi'itr. I -i'.i"a and potato growers could do likewise, and the wool producers nil,lilt well follow suit, every farmer co-operating in some way in response to the all too pad mid probably mute appeal for help. There are many other ways in which assistance may be given. One. of tlie.se is the planting and cropping of all the lands which are at present unproductive. In and around the towns as well as in the rural districts, there are many plots of ground whereon a crop of soma description could be raised- vegetables or cereals. There are many such plots in Greater New Plymouth,. but- the chief difficulty ia in the

(cultivation of the soil!. WSuu is urgently needed is thai those who ha-vo ploughs and teams, w m a.asiit in the good work by preparing the ground, and j the owners of it us ay ho rciied upon to pi ovido the seed, fertilisers and necessary attention to secure the best crop possible. If only one kindly disposed possessor of a plough and team will otter his services no doubt others would follow his example. We would giadly publish the good news of any such oll'er thin is made. It need lurdly be said that these crops could either be sold locally and the proceeds forwarded t.o the centitil ofiice of the National Fund, or the produce itself be dealt with as the committee thought most beneficial to the end in view. In every district the services of the children should be enlisted O'l behalf of their needy brothers and sisters in Britain and Belgium, and it is marvellous what children can do when . their hearts arc touched and they beI come keenly interested in a labor of - love. Moreover, it is good for them to take part in such a noble work, which » ofinnot full to exercise an ennobling ini iluence on (iieir character. A general i appeal is being made to all the citizens 1 of the Dominion, and tlio:ie who know i the intensity of the suffering that will . this winter be the lot of many thousands i in Britain and Belgium, will certainly be 1 deeply stirred to action in response to i this touching appeal to their humanity - and patriotism, while those who have i no means of gauging the depth of the i (rouble cannot fail to realise that while • they are m comparative comfort and re- . iicved from the terrors of war, liunger, . misery ami bereavement—the deepest of [ ail afflictions—across the ocean are thousands of suffering mortals to whom the ■ friendly hands of sympathy and assistF anec stretched forth over the mighty i waters of the dee p would be doubly weli come for the g'ifU received und for the ; fraternal goodness ol luart that prompt- > ed the desire to be of help to those in i di-,tress. We have seen that .in all New : Xea'and has done for the Motherland 1 patrioti.-m lias been the mainspring, but it would not be 'straining the situation 3 too much to suggest that there remains

tho imperative duty io those who. through tho war, will l,c rendered destitute and deprived of their natural helpers and protectors. This National fund in to be administered by the English Committee of tho Prince of Wales' fund, thus is there a guarantee of in distribution and the elimination oi 'cakago or waste. Oilers of money, live slock, produce, and warm clothing will ad be welcome. Taranaki lias derived the greater part of its wealth from the money paid by the Homeland for its butter, chocao, frozen meal and wool. Thus the claim for some return at a time of urgent need should meet with a ready response. Tho Daily News will be only too pleased to receive and transmit all donations to the central committee. Such a fund, both for the, honor of the district and the greatness of the cause to bo served, should be in every way worthy o; the most prosperous portion ot the Dominion. Those who give promptly, give tv/ieo over. [Since tho above was written the question of instituting a campaign in aid of the Poor in Britain and Belgium Belief Fund has been considered by tho New Plymouth 'Patriotic Committee, who have decided to call a meeting ot delegates of the. various patriotic committees in Taranaki with a

view to launching a provincial campaign in aid of this fund. The comm'ttecs will no doubt be, ready and glad to co-oper-ate in this worthy movement. The appeal is one which should commend itself to everyone in the province, and the result should be eminently satisfactory.]