QUITE A DIFFERENT THING. FAMINE IN INDIA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 114, 13 May 1908, Page 8

QUITE A DIFFERENT THING.

FAMINE IN INDIA.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) ■WELLINGTON, this day. The announcement as to the intentions of the Government -with regard to a new railway station for Wellington and the intimation conveyed that ie is not likely to suffer by comparison with the Duncdin building, causes the "Post" to burst forth in the following strain: —"There is a good opportunity here for Wellington to display a little of that public spirit which it is usually easier to indulge at our neighbours' expense than at our°o\vn. The extravagance which devoted £28,000 to the handsome edifice at Dunedin Has been the subject of much adverse comment here. It is • therefore for us to show the sincerity of our criticism by declining to countenance any such wanton expenditure in our own case. If utility is made the principal object it should be an easy matter to get a more commodious and a by no means unsightly building at a decidedly smaller figure." Mr W. J. Napier raised his voice in protest at the meeting of the Harbour Board yesterday afternoon against dredged material being taken out to sea. He said depositing it outside was a great waste, as it was worth 9d. per yard for reclamation purposes. The Chairman, Hon. E. Mitchelsen, said as soon as the wall was completed at Freeman's Bay a large area inside would be reclaimed with the,dredged material. Until the •wail was finished it would be useless depaiWf material in the l>ay, mmeiy to V«w it uraahed back into the • harbour aggro,

» . r £' (To the Editor.J Sir, —I received the enclosed appeal on behalf of the starving children in India, from Mr. R. Burgess, general secretary India Sunday School Union. I should esteem it a favour if you could find room for it in the columns of your widelyread and valuable paper. I shall be pleased to receive any donations not forwarded direct to India, either addressed to mc, Bos. 533, G.P.0., or at the Auckland Sunday School Union depot, Queenstreet. —I am, etc., , H. J. Le BALDLY, Secretary. A PITIFUL CRY FROM INDIA. - j HASTE TO THE RESCUE OF THE j CHILDREN. By Richard Surges, General Secretary India Sunday School Union, Jubbul-' pore, C.P., India. The Government of India is slow to declare any area famine affected. This is sometimes detrimental. Certainly it has the distinct advantage of making Government reports absolutely reliable. The world need have no doubt about the existence of famine in a severe form when the Government of India makes the declaration. The last official returns show one and a half millions of persons in receipt of Government relief. Nor is this the only proof that "grim famine" stalks through the lands. His Excellency Lord 3linto presided a few days ago at a meeting of Calcutta citizens, when large sums were subscribed. Similar meetings are being held in every large town in India with the same object in view. The reports and prophecies of Government weather experts are not at all encouraging. The fact is established —famine is herd Government and Missionary experts are now actually preparing for the worst. As the months pass on and the heat and scarcity increases, devastation and death will be the lot of millions, notwithstanding all that machinery money, and sympathy can accomplish. This is the third famine I have seen in India. Probably the present one will not equal those of 1900 and 1901 in severity. A legacy of about 20,000 famine -waifs was bequeathed in the last two famines to the Protestant Missionaries of India. The India Sunday School Union, to which I belong, had no inconsiderable share in the rescue of children. Japan, Australasia, the United States of America, Canada,, the British Isles, Germany, and many provinces in India sent us money. Our methods of distribution were different from any other agency. We spent one-third on the children in immediate relief, with the remaining two-thirds we guaranteed the shelter, support, and education of care-fully-selected children, in approved orphanages, for at least five years. No special buildings were erected by us. Year by year we required reports from missionaries in charge about each child. "We sent presents, occasionally, to each child, of a useful sort. The method so commended itself that it was copied by many engaged in administering large famine funds. Reports were sent to subscribers who so requested. In this way subscribers were able to enjoy the knowledge that definite life had been saved and trained with the relief administered. Of course, there are more ostentatious ways of helping the starving, but I think ours will commend itself to the thoughtful. Lord Curzon, during one of his tours in the interests of famine administration, saw a starving child on the roadside. In a most sympathetic way he stopped to render personal help. Under his supervision the child was tended. In referring to this incident afterwards, Lord Curzon said, that it was the bit of famine administration which he had enjoyed most of all. This was the testimony of a mighty man,- through whose foresight and sympathy measures have been devised, on a stupendous scale, for dealing with any famine which may occur at any time in India,. I have a kindred feeling to that oi Lord Curzon. It is good to help fam-ine-crushed men and women, specially good to save the children, and best oi all is the effort to maintain interest in the children rescued, "for a few years at least, until they are able to fight the battle of life alone. All our proteges receive a training in Christian life and work. The Famine Fund of the India Sunday School Union is never closed. Every sun" will be publicly acknowledged. Oui books are publicly audited. Persona! attention is given to every detail. Oui money is only sent to those whom we are sure will spend it on the children and in accord with our policy. Should donors wish their money spent other wise, their wishes will be complied with carefully. By virtue of my office, I am acquainted with each famine-affected area, and know most of the missionaries ■who' are putting their life-blood into relief measures. The best way to send money from any country is through the Post-Office. British Money Orders are cashed in India without discount. Cheques on any banks, American dollars, notes, stamps —either large or small amounts—are all acceptable. They all mean life to the -starving children. Those who send sums, equalling a pound or over, can if they wish, receive direct from mc a monthly report letter while the famint lasts. If health permits, my wife anc self propose to stay in the midst ot the suffering, at any rate, until the worst is over. What we can do we meantc do. Should any large sums be collec ted in any country it'would be well tc cable mc to say how much has actually been despatched. This will enable mo to that extent, to at once administei the relief, eevn before themoney actually arrives. The cable and telegraphic ad dress which will be sufficient from ani country is simply "Burges, Jubbulpore.' I may be allowed to say to those whe are not acquainted with the India Sundaj School Union that our President is Sii A. H. H. Fraser, M.A., 1.C.5., K.CSJ. Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal. Oui work is administered by one Centra and about forty Provincial Committees I say this to establish confidence when our work is not known. My whole life is devoted to the chil dren of India, so that I shall be onlj too thankful to be the medium of helj at this critical hour of India's need.