CURRENT TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 290, 17 May 1915, Page 4

CURRENT TOPICS.

THE RELIEF FUNDS. A correspondent writes:—''ln view of the German action in Belgium, in taking the Red Hross funds and threatening to stop relief, is it any use our continuing our subscriptions? An answer in your paper would be n satisfaction." Wo know from past experience that the 'Hermans are capable of any dishonorable and inhuman action, and it is quite possible they will carry out their threat. Hut such a possibility should not deter the people of this most favored part of the most fortunate country in the world to-day from withholding their support from the fund. Money, and much money, will he needed to provide relief for the unfortunate people whose country is now under the heel of the Herman brutes. This is certain: the British authorities will take prompt action as soon as the relief measures are in any way interfered, with by the Hermans, to divert and safeguard both food and funds. f!„ on. by all means, sub-cribing as generously as your pocket will 'permit, and put your trust in the authorities to safeguard your contributions.

A STIIiRIXC, APPEAL. A stirring address was delivered to ,\ Wellington congregation by tin- Rev. W. Fancourt the other evening. He remark, e.l that the Christian Church was the first fo move for the abolition of war, but righteousness must first be trimuphuut before Pence can rule the world. As the Archbishop of York had said, "Tin' first duty ( ;f our Christian manhood is, whore it can, to ofi'er itself for active service at the scene of war for tin; defence of the Empire. Justification is , needed, not for going, but for staying at home. Where men are within the age limit, and have no physical disqualification, nothing but a claim of higher duty can justify them in holding back." Let all the young men of this Dominion be foremost in saying at tin's time to their Cod, their King „nd their country, "Here am I, send me." The rev. gentleman went on to say: "If England falls, we fall, and become a Herman colony, subject to G'ermnn militarism. If you want' to save England and your own country from the. horrors of Belgium, conic forward on behalf of the Empire. A man who fails to do so is equivalent to the man who would see his own mother or sister outraged in the street and fail to help. For if the Cermans enter either Kngland or our own country, such will !>e the horrors of our women and the torture of our children. The- enemy sticks at nothing. Are you going fo live safely under the protection of the British Navy, which has sacrificed .WOO lives? Are you going to allow the sacrifice of your brothers to lie greater than necessary because you stay at home? Are you receive money and garments, and olive yards and vineyards, and sheep and oxen, and men servants and maid servants, when Your Country Wants You? Nor is the call only to the young men. To you who are women T would say that the sacrifice you are called upon to make is greater than that demanded of those who go to ihe war. Are you going to ho true and noble women, worthy of the traditions of our race, or are you going to hold back your sons and brothers and lovers while others are going to sacrifice lives which, if you bad done your duty, might have been saved? This is not the time for gloom, but for action mid service. Many Xew Zoalundors' sons do their duty, and the. blood of those who have fallen will not have been .'l'ilt in vain, and the sufferings of the Wounded wilt be for the healing of the nations, and righteousness will rule the world."