ONLY A SHILLING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 157, 28 November 1914, Page 6

ONLY A SHILLING.

APPEAL TO NEW ZEALAND PEOPLE. ,THE POOE OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND AND BELGIUM RELIF FUND. BELGIAN CHRISTMAS GIFT FUND. The committee of the Poor of Great Britain and Ireland and Belgian Relief Fund have issued the following appeal to the people of New Zealand for the benefit of the helpless Belgian children: i Belgium has rendered to civilisation services that cannot be measured. She lias laid upon the altar of freedom a sac- . sacrifice so costly, we dare not assess it. Guardian, for a season, of the world's freedom, she fulfilled her trust with a devotion that mere words can only desecrate. Her achievements can never be forgotten, and the name of Belgium, like a splendid star, will blaze for centuries in the forehead of history. But; now at this moment, her people are suffering agony. Thousands of her bravest sons are maimed and crippled; thousands of othera answer only the call of ghostly trumpeters. Her sons who can still fight are living under a freezing sky, exposed day and night to rain and snow and wind, in trenches swept by showers or splintering shrapnel, shivering, fasting, but still fighting. The fields of Belgium are desolaie, their homesteads and villages are blackened ruins, their cattle are killed or in (possesion .of the Germans. What of their wealth has not been destroyed has been seized by the savage invader.

Autumn has passed and winter—only less cruel than the German —is upon this helpless people, who have given everything for our liberty as •well as theirs. Everywhere stalks the dreadful spectre of Famine, and to the nameless horrors of the past must be added that of hunger in the present

Our fields which but for the heroism of the Belgians might ere long have been reddened with our blood, will soon be teeming with earth's bounties Crops, fruits, herds are ours in great plenty. Our wages are as before the war, even our pleasures are as before. Far remote from the scene of the great struggle, we are permitted to live in peace. Our lives are fallen in pleasant places; we have a goodly heritage. Surely, out of our great store each one of us can give a small gift of ONI? SHILLING to the relief of the Belgians. This is an historic occasion, and an historic cause. Have you already given? |"What of that? Have not the Belgians given their all for freedom? Sure ,ly from our all wo can spare a mite for the Belgians.

In the years to come the Belgians will say "We suffered agonies in the Great War; but Britain and her children beyond the seas stood by us, bound un our wounds, .fed our hungry, and cared for our widows and orphans. Of a truth, Britain was the Good Samaritan." We are confident that you will do all you can to assist "The Jselglan Christmas Gift Fund."

We want the support of every man, woman and child. It is only by the hearty co-operation of all that this scheme can be brought to a successful issue.

Will you be good enough to bring the matter before your staff or Association or Club at OXOE and send in the names of all those who are willing to assist. (Signed) C. P. SKERRETT, K.C., Chairman.

H. AMOS, Hon. Sec. Care Banks' College, Wellington.

It is estimated that one shilling per head of the adult population of New Zealand will send £25,000 to the helpless little Belgian victims. The whole of the proceeds will go the above fund, for transmission to Belgium through his