The Sun FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1914. TO HELP ENGLAND'S POOR.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 162, 14 August 1914, Page 6

The Sun FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1914. TO HELP ENGLAND'S POOR.

We commend unreservedly to our readers the movement to contribute something tangible towards the necessities of the poor at Home, who, on account of the war, are likely to be faced, with unusually cruel conditions during the approaching winter, if the colonies do not come to their assistance. It is a cause that should require no pleading. The displacement and disorganisation of trade for the time being must inevitably result in acute distress among the poor of the large centres of the United Kingdom, and one of the responsibilities the prosperous Oversea Dominions must shoulder, is to alleviate the blow as much as possible. In times of peace the way of the many underpaid artisans at Home is laid in dark and devious places,.and the war on the Continent will intensify these economic disadvantages to the point of starvation. Add to this the! fact of the approaching winter, and it will be seen just how urgent it is that we, of our fruitfulness, should spare a little for our unhappy brethren across the seas. It is a great and a splendid thing to be able to send our' young men away to help fight the cause which the Mother Country was forced in honour to espouse, but it would be a magnificent and never-to-be-forgotten deed to help feed England's unhappy poor. The Prince of Wales Fund for the relief of the poor has reached in a few days the huge sum of over £750,p00. It is one of the most inspiring features that, in such a time of national trial, one of the first thoughts shouldvbe consideration for those the least fortunate people who are doomed to feet most intensely the effect of a ruinous war. The spirit that prompted the inauguration of the Prince of Wales- Fund moved the' Canadian Government, which has done so gallantly already, to donate one million bags of flour, and it has been suggested that Australia should offer the United Kingdom one million carcases of frozen mutton. We believe that New Zealand, happily situated as she is, will do her part in connection with swelling this fund. Our winter, our hard days (if we ever have such things), are practically over. We have had an excellent year, and, despite the .tremendous quarrel that will exhaust the combatants ere it is finlishcd, there is every hope of good times ahead. If'*the horn of plenty is not exactly full to overflowing, it contains such a store that would permit, without a great deal of sacrifice, of a portion being forwarded to England to feed and clothe those who have little or nothing. The Dominion is alight with a desire to help tide the Mother Country over her time of trouble. All classes, rich and poor, high and low, have combined to do something for the Empire. Men, horses, and equipment have been found without stint; money is pouring in for the support of dependents of those who are off to the front. The British Fleet is the bulwark of our trade; because the Dreadnoughts hold the enemy penned up in the North Sea, the trade routes across the world are as open and safe as they well can be.

New Zealand has given some return for this protection, as we have shown. But with poverty and hardship overhanging .the devoted poor of the United Kingdom her part in the deadly drama would be only imperfectly played if she failed to go further in her patriotism, and, from the ample store, make generous contributions of foodstuffs to the Imperial granaries. If the movement which has been initiated by Dr Levinge and Mr J. B. Eeid is pushed with enthusiasm it can hardly fail to be a success. Hundreds of people are in a position to give in kind instead of cash, and what they are best able to spare will be what is most urgently wanted. In this wise, by helping England's poor—car kith and kin—New Zealand will be doing an invaluable service to the Mother Country and her crucial enterprise.