FURTHER APPEAL FOR THE BELGIANS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15752, 20 November 1916, Page 2

FURTHER APPEAL FOR THE BELGIANS.

AN AUCKLAND EFFORT. Auckland, remarks the "Star," has not so far been backward in the realisation of her duty to the people of •the stricken Belgiap nation, and at a representative meeting of the committer and citizens, held in the Auckland Municipal Chambers on Thursday afternoon, resolutions were carried affirming the desirability of making a further vigorous effort to raise funds to alleviate the sufferings of our Allies. The Mayor (Mr J. H. Gunson) presfued, and Mr Alex. M. Ferguson. Consul for the Belgians, was also present. An important, part of the scheme for the new campaign is the flotation of the Santa Claus Company, with a capital of 5,000,000 penny shares. The Santa Claus Company, for which an attractive prospectus is to be issued very soon, has included on a distinguished Board of Directors the Minister for Internal Affairs (Hon. G. W. Russell), the Minister for Munitions (Hon. A. M. Myers), the Mavo r of Auckland, and the Belgian Consuls at Auckland, "Wellington, Christchureh and Dunedin, and as a further guarantee of its bona •fides the R-ev. Principal Garland moved the resolution at the meeting urging the support of the members of the League.

Air A. M. Ferguson said he was sorry to record that they were practically at the end of their financial tether. It was a case of once more into the breach. The position was really critical. "We should come in the spirit of honourable people who feel that they cannot rest till they have discharged the debt," said Mr Ferguson. The campaign to be launched had been well organised, he said, and would be vigorously pushed in town and country. In a brief explanation of the Santa ClaUo Company, Mr Ferguson suggested that the shares should replace Christmas and so represent a real Christmas sacrifice.

The appeal made recently by the Lord' Mayor of London in connexion with the Belgian children is not to pass unheeded in Christchurch. It is understood that the subject will be considered by a meeting of the Belgium Fund Executive to bo held this week.