HELP FOR FRENCH FUND.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 June 1918, Page 2

HELP FOR FRENCH FUND.

; THE; GtiVTffimiWT'S ATnTUDE Bjf 'J&egraphw-<£ress> Association. Wellington, June 18. . Readying; to thot Mayor's, agglication firndo. ini&id of tie Cross, and, other relief work: in..ltonovthfi> Minister lor Internal Affairs: stated that fuller information was desirable batore gran ting, tile ftppftwAL The Bed Cross international organisation wag.spendingenoimoiis stmis.on t'aa front, for, tli6 benefit of aIL Allied eomiatanta. As contributions were-going regularly from New Zealand in. support of tlia; British. Red Cross it would be seen thafcthe-Dominion was already participating in the patriotic ."waji-for the direct benefit of our brave Allies of France. Other and more direct, efforts; to> assist our Ereneh allies had been made> toy* tbe- Gwemment and the people of New Zealand. The Government ihad, undertaken payment* totalling £1(1,000 for hospitals for French re- ■ patrees. Early in 1817 a fund was es- I tablislied for the direct assistance for fli the French Red Cross, £10,071 being ' raised in February last. The Government for the benefit of ,fe Rational Association of the , Frencfi jj'ar_ orphans, and free pastal were being granted. Sums amounting to £14,000 had already teen forwarded and donations were steadily coming forward still. While the Government fully appreciated the heroio sacrifices of our French allies, the Minister regretted'that the necessity for this further appeal had. not ibsen disdlofietl to the Government, being of opinion that New Zealand should concentrate its energies upon giving assistance to the British Red Cross, leaving the responsibility for the distribution of the funds ten the- executive. IroAugust "Oto Iky" appeal would be made throughout the Dominion. If, however, there were other urgent needs outside those dealt with and the request were made that the fund should be established for the®, supported by the Couflul-Gctiefal of' Prance, the Government would (be glad to give fnrther»conßi3eration"to-the 'matter.