New Zealand

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 223, 27 February 1915, Page 5

New Zealand

TO HELP THE BELGIANS. GERMANY NOT TO BE TRUSTED. Wellington, Last. Night. I It is considered that tile Imperial authorities are in a quandary how to advise the Australian and New Zealand Governments to act with reference to the special appeal which has been made on behalf of the distressed Belgians. Several cable messages have, so far, remained unanswered, and it is plain that the Imperial Government has found no means of safeguarding the contributions In money or provisions that may ne sent from the Antipodes. "There is no use," said Mr Massey to-day. "of sending help unless we arc absolutely certain that there is' no chance of it being diverted to the Germans. I confess that from the very first I saw the difficulties of the situation, and that the greatest care must he exei'cised if our contributions are not to bo actually commandeered by the Germans. What is to prevent them from making levies on the poor Belgians to an equal extent? They are in possession of the country, and can do what they like. As for any agreements they may .pretend to make, what good are they? 'Scraps of paper,' to be torn up according to the exigencies of the situation. Personally and officially, I -am as anxious as anyone to help the Belgians, but I cannot see my way to take a single step until I have the sanction of the Imperial authorities." HELP FOR THE BELGIANS. COMMERCIAL INTERESTS FAVOR STATE AID. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Oliristchurch, Last Night. Th c Canterbury Chamber of Commerce to-day decided to urge the Premier to obtain tl\« opinion of members on the question of providing assistance for the Belgians, the? matter to he dealt with as one of urgency, and tint £2s,of>f) be remitted monthly until the end of the war. It was also decided tc urge the Government to make a surcharge of 2',/. per cent, on all available sources of rer Toime to provide th e money required. STATE CONTROL OF MEAT EXPORT. Wllington," Yesterday. The conference of representatives of the freezing companies, the Board of Agriculture and the Prime Minister regarding the supply of meat for the schema submitted by the Prime Minister was agreed to, after a long sitting. The Government is now practically ready to take over the whole export bu-iness and commence the shipping of meat for the Imperial authorities. GIFTS FOR OUR TROOPS.

Wellington, Yesterday. The Postmastcr-Cienora! announces that he has arranged with the London and Egyptian post offices for acceptance of the Soldiers' Giff Club parcels. They must be addressed to the officer commanding the regiment, and marked "Soldiers' Gift Club." The postage must be prepaid. The concession may alio be used for gifts to soldiers. TEA WILL 1315 DEARER. Auckland, Fbruary 2'u The activity of buvers operating on the Colombo tea market on behalf of England and Russia has maintained the high value of common and medium grade, the latest advices showing; a further advane,, of Jd per lb. Ivlerchants in the city to-day confirmed their previous statements that when the new stocks are opened Ceylon teas now retailed at Is to Is fid per lb will be advanced by 2d per lb.