The Daily News. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1914. "THE CAUSE THAT NEEDS ASSISTANCE."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 135, 31 October 1914, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1914. "THE CAUSE THAT NEEDS ASSISTANCE."

In a time of such exceptional stress as 1 now exists in consequence of the war, ii is extremely difficult to produce at a moment's notice any satisfactory scheme for fostering united effort for the relief of those who are suffering and must suffer for a time from tho terrible effects of the struggle. It is recognised that tho claims of the poor ia Britain and Belgium are likely to call, for some time to come, with tremendous I force on the sympathy and liberality of j the people in the overseas dominions. It I is a call thai no humane persoa can dig-1 regard, and though it may mean con- J sidcrablo sacrifice the response, in New | Zealand, at least, will be worthy of the' Dominion's reputation for patriotism aad 1 public spirit. There are many who can afford but a small offering, and this they would cheerfully give if others similarly situated would do likewise, so that the, mites of the many would'amount to an appreciable gift that would bring sustenance and comfort to tho destitute aid sorrowing. It is therefore with much satisfaction that wo note the action! taken by a recent meeting of the New Plymouth Employers' Association, when a resolution was carried suggesting that the employees be asked to contribute a sum of, say, sixpence a week from their wages to the Poor in Britain and Belgium Fund, and that the money bo handed by the" individual employees to the local branches of the fund. The adoption of tho suggestion would enable every employee, no matter how small his or her remuneration may be, to contribute his or her mite without feeling ashamed of its smallnesa. Moreover, it is this "constant endeavor" that will be so much needed. That in some eases even the gift of sixpence per week will mean real self-denial is most probable, hut experience teaches that it is those who have least to spare that are always the most cheerful and willing donors, possibly because they more adequately realise wdiat shortness of money and actual privation means. The onlv way to deal with this gigantic problem of relieving' the poor ol Britain and Belgium is by enlisting the practioal sympathy of every section of the community,' and tiie suggestion made by the Employers' | Association has that end in view. We 1 heartily commend it to every employee, It may be that the movement could be considerably strengthened and vivified by ] the employers themselves subbing tlio j employees' contributions in some way, though it must be said that many employees have already given liberally. By so doing, every section of the community would he contributing a regular amount to the fund so long as necessity requires. It would be a noble response on New Zealand's part to the pitiful cries of the widows and orphans, the destitute and bereaved. There is something ennobling in this idea of all joining I hands and purses in a common humanitarian effort. All that is wanted is organisation, for the spirit, is willing, and the hearts of the people are rightly attuned to respond to the. pressing appeal that needs all we. can —and more. It may be that some employees would give a day's pay a month; all honor to them if they do so. Meanwhile the sixpenny payment efieh week vrill mount up to a good round sum. r.nil it is sincerely to be hoped that the proposal will he heartily embraced and carried out.