The Daily News. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1915. BELGIUM'S PATHETIC APPEAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 219, 23 February 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1915. BELGIUM'S PATHETIC APPEAL.

Much lias already been done by the people of New Zealand towards supplying the afllicted Belgians with food, bui the magnitude of the task is so great that one can hardly realise its extent. That the unfortunate Belgians are in a parlous plight we all know, and they have the heartfelt sympathy of the whole of the British Empire. That, however, will not keep them from starving, I and unless adequate aid is speedily forthcoming thev must either starve or rush on to tlicir death by rebelling against the invaders. The pathetic and urgent appeal that has just been made to Australia and New Zealand by the Belgian Commission should arouse a ready response. It is the voice of seven million people on the verge of starvation, piteouslv calling for food. That such an awful calamity could occur in the twentieth century of the Christian era seems almost beyond belief, but it is a .stubborn fact which defies contradiction. We in New Zealand are enjoying all the blessings of prosperity, and are now living under a summer sky, while these millions of brave-hearted Belgians are begging for the bread of. charity. Only those who are acquainted with these free and independent people can have any conception of the bitter humiliation they must undergo in having to beg for their daily sustenance, but necessity knows no law. Thousands wait daily in the snow for a dole of food that the poorest person in New Zealand would scoff at. Saddest oi all, the defenceless, innocent children and babies are barely kept alive for want of milk, while Taranaki dairy farmers are J giving milk (o pigs. The picture is one j that should open the hearts of the | people of the Dominion, and impel even greater generosity than has yet been exhibited. Of all the horrors of the war.

none appeals witk greater force to the beat instincts o£ humanity than the cause o £ these people- ilm their terrible trouble- knowing not from day to day whether they can keep body and sou 1 , together. The Commission. appeals for ' CT5,000 a. month, or its equivalent in nod. At first glance tlie- amount would r.'um; t ! o> litt- a large order, but in view of Mie fact that there are seven million mouths to feed daily, it averages but a small fraction, per head. The greatness of the sacrifice that Belgium made in the I cause of the 'Allies can be measured in Home degree- by this fearful destitution, ll'he alternative to death by starvation is; the- Commission points out, a revolt against the ruthless and brutal invader, with the certainty of the unarmed and emaciated people being shot like dogs, and possibly subjected to atrocities unmentionable. To the question asked by the Commission: "Will Australia and Now Zealand stand by calmly and a,wait Guch an end," we answer emphatically ia the negative. The heart-rending appeal for help should receive a response at least commensurate with, the noble sacrifice made by the Belgian people. Xot a single resident of Australasia should hesitate a second to give a, j monthly contribution to this urgent call.! No matter how much has. been given in the past, the need is for the present and I future. I'or the credit of the Dominion it is to be hoped that the people will vise to the occasion, and ungrudgingly offer their mite to the general fund, livery little w'il help; what is wanted is' > a steady flow of charity towards, the starving millions of our brave- ally, Beli gium.

TIIE AGRICULTURAL SHOW. Die ever-growing importance of Taranaki by reason of its marvellous, productive power, especially in connection with the dairying- industry, should cause more than ordinary interest to be exhibited in the Metropolitan Agricultural Show, which opens to-morrow on the | New Plymouth racecourse. There are ■ many factors that have contributed to the fame of the province, and every project thuj; aims at the attainment of increased prosperity should be heartily i welcomed and supported, not only by the | farming community, but by the public | at large. 'lt is recognised that the work j of the various Agricultural Societies of the Dominion has been most beneficial to farmers, and, by parity of reasoning, to I the country. Their aim is ever towards encouraging progress and the attainment of as near to perfection as possible. The time has gone by when any sort of animal will be tolerated on the farm of any self-respecting settler, and these agricultural shows are one of the levers - ,for improving stock. It is there that > j ore gathered some of the best of stock and produce, and farmers meet and compare notes. There are really very few who send exhibits with a view to obtain prizes, the majority being quite content 1 with the judge's verdict either that the exhibitor has or has not the best animal lof its kind in the show. It is this fine spirit that induces many farmers to enter for the various competitions, and r from year to year encourages them to j go one better, and the result is seen in n the increased prices obtained, as well as % in the enhanced revenue from dairy ' stock and produce. Naturally the public ° are not so keenly interested in this r aspect of the matter, but the society caters well for them in other ways, especially in horse events. The popularity of the Taranaki Metropolitan Show has deservedly rewarded the its cwrgy and enterprise in arranging and carrying out the details, and in providing a schedule of events each year that will prove attractive. This year should be no exception to the rule, for rhe programme is botli nberal .iiiu ati motive, i I It, therefore, behoves the public to sup- ' J port the show by their presenile on both ~ days, and thereby promote the best in--1 terests of the province and its progrrs- ' I sive farmers.