HELPING THE POOR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 107, 29 September 1914, Page 8

HELPING THE POOR.

OF GiiKAT BRITAIN AND BELGIUM. At meeting of the New Plymouth Patriotfe Committee, the following letter, addressed to the Mayor, was received from Mr. It. VV. Shallcrosa, organising secretary of tho Great Britain, Ireland and Belgium Relief i'und:— "i may say thait tho objects of tiha fund aro to provide relief for those who are in need of food as the result of the war, by bonding contribution:) of muit, "reduce and clothing from New Zealand, to bo. apportioned in su.h man. ner as may be considered necessary in association wi-Clt the committee of' the 'Prince of Walus Fund.'

"la awealiug for assistance, on behalf of this fund, the (promoters arc confident that th<> response of the gnu-emus-hearted people of :Now Zuiland will be unstinted. •••• 1 worthy of a. prosperous community h<mnd by ties of deep and enduring affection to tho Mother Land.

"The needs of winn ing people of <lreat_ Britahl: and Uelgiutri will bo severe indeed in the coming winter, and in no time in the ihistor' of oiir 15n"»ire hn ri there been a worthier claim fori as sistance. Any helip given will ibe given in a noble cause and will lie well repaid :by the knowledge that in soma small dogreo a diuty we owo to the Mother Land (has been fulfilled.

"It U intended to forward a shipment of food, clothing l , Markets, etc., for distribution, ill,rough the agency of the 'Prince of Wales Fund,' With Sha cooperation of tho Nfvv Zealand High Conimissione.r in 'London.

Tho movement originated in Canterbur", where it hold,* the premier position, and the donations promised; for that provincial district amount -to over £20,000. A strong committee luw also betm formed in Wellington to 'promote tiie fund. Gisbornc district. cx.p.*U to provide 10,00!) sheep, and satisfactory support is also obtained; in Jla.wk«'s Tay. A considerable tunount is already in hand from Wangunni. and the local branches of the ' Farmers' Union have promised to extend M >" movement in Feilding and PaWrston North, Tho Wairarapa Patriotic Committer, which has already done suieh -excellent work, will probably now give the fund their undivided attention. In Marlborough, the contributions already amount to a considerable sunn, and. it in expected that Blenheim and the surrounding districts will find about £3OOO. "I have been asked to [promote the movement in the North Island, ( and ■while 1 Tocogn'ise the generous jwponse already oivado for patriotic purposes, I trust that you will provide for those to whom tlri# fund may appeal opportunities for them to contribute, it is undesirable, I t'hink, to create an undue number of committees to promote separate objects, am) a» 1 underyland that * very representalire organisation ia in existence ill New 'Plymouth, 1 aim instructed to ask: you to bring the fund wider its notice with a view of scouring its co-operation.

"Tho necessary steps to obtain the trajinport of the ffifts from outside the funds are being taken, and aMiough no dniinite promise has yet been nude, the Government has expressed its hearty approval of the movement, and lias ginv:i an assurance that it will consider the question of providing freightage in thu supplementary transports which are almost sure to follow.

"Tire promoters feel that, quite apart from the dire distress which is sure to exist at Home, if we can by o-ur assistance l'.ejp to create a state of contentcdness in England, it will liave a dircot bearing on the war by strengthening the hii/iids of tlie -Ministry- in bringing about that complete and effective conclusion which we me all looking for. '•J. trust that you -will see your way to "assist in any maminr considered moist sitable for your district.''

In the ensuing discussion it was stated ti;at tiho churches wore making an organised effort throughout the Dommitn on Saturday and 1 .Sunday next to collect subscriptions fox the fund. 11: the case of New Plymouth, twenty-live pur cent, of the proceeds were to i>e devoted to the lluntly Uei'ief Fund. The opinion was voiced that lilio piY.-.eul funds, Liio Patriotic Fund and the Belgian Fund, should be closed, and ili'orl.s concentrated on the Poor in Britain and J!,.-tgium Puindß Many of the Taranaki dairy factor companies had decided to giro a half per cent, of their milk cheques to the Patriotic Fund, and they m:ght see their way to divert pint or whole of 'their, subscriptions to this fund.

T'hoid present were entirely favorable to the scheme, and it mi« eventually decided to combine with the other 'i'-.vva-rati patriotic committees and make a provincial ell'ort on -behalf of the fund. To th'ri end, l-hoi other committees are to bo inti led to send delegates to a meeting at New Plymouth en Mouditv or Tuosday evening next to consider the advisability of launching a vigorous and comprehensive campaign.

.The sheep farmers of the Waverley district have decided to give two per cent, of the sheep thi«y freeze this (teason to the British and BeV.u-p.i Kelicf Fund.