HELP FOR THE BELGIANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 March 1916, Page 4

HELP FOR THE BELGIANS.

A powerful appeal, which it is intended shall be circulated throughout the Empire, has been made by the Lord Mayor of London on behalf of the Belgian victims of German tyranny. Much generous aid to these unfortunate sufferers has already been given by the warmheated people of New Zealand, but so profoundly pitiful is their condition that this further appeal for help should meet with a prompt and adequate response. Tlie brave Belgians were the first to feel the iron heel of the' German tyrant, and for over eighteen months, seven millions of defenceless Belgian civilians have suffered inconceivable hardships and cruelties at the hands of their merciless oppressors, while maintaining a courageous though passive resistance. Belgium is s(. far away from New Zealand, ■'■ "C the (.vents of the war have boon so exciting, that the suffering of the Belgians is liable to slip the memory of I'f.n the humane portion of our ceremunity. Knowing what we do of the callous I'i'utality and infinite mscrupulousness of the Huns, some faint idea may be formed of the sufferings and privations inflicted on the Belgians who are in the grip of the enemy. When ft is realised that practically one-half of the whole population of Belgium, through no fault cf their own, are now destitute, living on pitiful rations that only just serve to keep body and soul together, the appeal for help should stir the hearts of the people of New Zealand to the utmost depth, for while these Belgian civilians are starving, New Zealanders are enjoying unprecedented prosperity with all the blessings in life that can be desired. The Lord Mayor's appeal places the matter on the highest plane, treating it as a most pressing debt of honor, it would, indeed, be difficult to voice a stronger claim on humanity than that of helping to feed these starving millions who, in spite of misery and privation, are courageously enduring all their afflictions, while loyally awaiting the coming of the Allies to drive out the oppressors. Numerous as are the calls on the generosity of New Zealanders—-all worthy of assistance—this appeal on behalf of the Belgians comes with exceptional claims for support. His mor.> than an appeal, for it has ail the force of a heartl'Miding ;ry hr the !wre essentials cf life. There should not be or.<- individual in the Dominion who is not moved to spare a contribution towards this pressing need, and thereby provide food for one or more starving Belgians. A prompt and generous response should be given to the appeal.