APPEAL FOR HELP TO GERMANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 October 1919, Page 3

APPEAL FOR HELP TO GERMANS.

DISCUSSION IK THE HOUSE. (By Wire—Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Last Night. A year ago, much more attention than was actually given, would have been j directed to a matter in the House tonigh, t. It concerned an appeal that is being circulated for the relief of persons in Germany. Mr. Ell asked the Premier whether he had seen the text of the circular letter by which the appeal is being made. The letter set out thai, the war had caused distress in Germany, especially among the women and children of the poorer classes. Goods thai were specially asked for in the letter were condensed milk and flannel, which could be sent to Germany for distribution. Mention was made of a local committee formed in Wellington, and the letter was signed by Mrs. Julia Lutz, at a Kilbirnie address, and Miss E. Ingebnrg Joosten, of Karori. The goods collected aro to be forwarded to Mrs. A. Langguth, of Auckland. / Mr. Ell pointed out that the German people had not suffered in the war anything nearly so grievious as had the people of France and Belgium. It would come as a matter of surprise to the people of New Zealand to hear that such an appeal was being made, and it should be made clear that there were otl er people with much greater claims on the generosity of the people of this j coni)try than those on whose behalf the appeal was being made. Mr. Massey said he knew nothing of the circular, and he did not know any. tli:iig about its bona fides or otherwiseTt would, however, be known to some members of the House that it was impossible to forward goods to Germany without the consent of the Minister o.' Customs, and he had no doubt that the j Minister would be careful in this case.

Mr. R, Fraser asked the Prime Minisici whether he had not learned that there was suffering in Germany as well as in France and Belgium wheu ue was in Eurpoe. Mr. Massey said that the honorable member had better give notice of this question. He had to admit that then ivas much hardship in France and Belgii m, and possibly in Germany also.

The Hon. G. W. Russell asked whether the Minister would look into this matte: from the point of view of the W&r Funds Act. Under that Act it would be impossible to establish a fund for the rel'.ef of persons in Germany without the consent of the Minister of Internal Affairs.

Mr. Massey said he would do this. Mr. Fra)3r asked more about the sjfl'erings of the Germans. He asked whether it was not a fact that Genera; Pliimer, when in command of the troops at Cologne, had not communicated with Mr. Lloyd George about the sufferings of the people of the occupied districts, and whether that General had not said that one of the finest things in the war had been the attitude of the British soldiers in endeavouring to feed the women and children of CologneMr. Massey: What the honorable member states is quite correct. I know that British troops shared their rations wiih women and children where they were billeted.