FOR THE SUFFERERS IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10482, 21 October 1899, Page 7

FOR THE SUFFERERS IN SOUTH AFRICA.

SUGGESTED RELIEF FUND. j TO THE EDITOR OB THS HMOS. Sir,—The war in South Africa is the subject of the greatest interest at present in all British communities. The patriotic conduct ot the Government of New Zealand, and of the 200 volunteers who are being sent to assist in the struggle against the oppression and tyranny of the Boers of that section of our race in the Transvaal, now so well known as Outlanders, meets with the warm approval of the whole colony, as evinced by the great display of enthuaiasm in all the centres from, which the voluataers have been sent. Oaj-iaru turned out in great numbers, and a guard of well-uniformed convadea to witness the departure of a solitary representative from mat populous and prosperous district. When passing through by train the other day, seeing a co__uder<U>le number of these very stalwart men (kuwn up at the station, 1 thought from their appearance they would do credit to New _-ea_*tu_, for a finer and more hardy set of men it wo_d be dinicuit to get anywhere, but listening to the talk around, I soon learnt that only one man was going North to join the Contingent. Does oar duty as subjects of the Empire end with this sra —Ll contribution of men, for small it is. Cokmist-i do not yet realise what should be their share in the deteuce of the Empire, on which their fate and prosperity so much depends. Lord Brassey told us that the New Zealand contribution towards the Navy was 7d per head, against over 12s per head of the United Kingdom, and lam not aware that we contribute to the maintenance of the regular Army at alt Well, let us not suiter _» compar-son in one Imperial effort—l meaot the raaaing of a fund -or the succour of the of this unjust and oppressive war ol the Boers. The Mansion House fund in London is already a large one. If an organised effort, such as that made at the time ot the Brunner disaster, is made in New Zealand now, the colony will add to its reputation as a jutrt, generous, aad freedom-loving people. WUI everyone who is not hampered wi_> too much debt (for then he would, be giving that which does not belong to bim) give one day's earnings, ot as great a part ot it as he can afford* —ifours, etc., A. F. J. M3CKLE, M.D,