PATRIOTIC WORK.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 August 1917, Page 6

PATRIOTIC WORK.

HELP FOR "BELGIAN REFUGEES. The Mayoress (Mrs. 'Burgess) lias handed us the following special appeal foil help to the British fund for Belgian refugees in France, formerly known as Lady Harvey's Fund in aid of mothers and children: — To the Editor.

mi\ —Although I realise how mhch lias been done in every part of the world in aid of the Belgian nation I venture to bring before your notice the ever'eontinned needs of the Belgian women and children who take refuse in France. These poor mothers' and babes do not cease to cross the Belffo-Franco frontier, we may say in thousands, adding their voiceless appeal to the cry of those alreadv wanderers in a strong thoughhospitable land. The deportation of their men folk by the hated enemy unknown slavery and keenly guessed at' hardships add to the daily horror of the [situation, for the Belgian is a peaceable and home-loving citizen whose natural instincts 'would' hold him fn horrc«- ot war with its attending devastating miseries. I'll like the Balkan races his thoughts have been educated to peace with accompanying material development and National prosperity from childhood onwards; and therefore we mav truthfully sny that the Belgian has if nossible fcit more deeply than more Avarlike races of the East o'f.Eurqu* the privatioiii, horrors and crimes which have overwhelmed his country, hearth and home. And if the men have suffered. iv,hat of the womenV The mothers who hear the double burden, the double heartache, for husband and child, and yet because they are the mothers they must endure. For assuredly it is the women's part in every class of life to .moulder the human responsibilities of lho struggling human rave, and therefore 1 venture to voice ihe mute appeal of these- mothers who hope still to save their children for the country which later will call them to fulfil the duties of citizen life. What if the coming generation is not saved? Whicn population of Europe shall take unto itself the fair land of Belgium? Shall it not lie the rightful descendants of those who have sacrificed all in the name of liberty for their country, or shall Belgium's rich pastures be overrun by an alien race to prove an ever-menacing source of danger to our vast British Empire? Let us

thing well and realise both the needs oi the homeless and the possible future danger to ourselves. Quite recently 1 1 hare received letters of warm thanks from Her F.xcellensy .Madame Hoppe-! putte asking me to thank most gratefullv all the kind hearts who have contributed to. and continue to help, our fund. She write--, (hat the joy (joic) of lior noor compatriots when receiving onr gift* U very real, and 'how deeply they 'appreciate what is Iwhiß done for themselves and their country in England and throughout the wide British Empire. ] do not think ] need add more thin to appeal to you to plead our cause through the medium of your well-known newspaper—Yours truly, ALICE OLIPHAXT MURRAY. Co-President and TTon. Organiser, ilrs. Hurgess has been asked to make a special collecting centre for the above cause. Either gifts of money or clothing 'will be most welcome.