HELPING SPANISH REFUGEES

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22445, 5 July 1938, Page 13

HELPING SPANISH REFUGEES

REQUEST TO BOROUGH COUNCIL PRINCIPLE QUESTIONED BY MEMBERS DECISION TO ISSUE APPEAL “What interest have we in Spain?” asked Cr. J. N. Clarke at a meeting of the New. Brighton Borough Council'last evening, when the council was considering a letter from the chairman of the National Relief Fund for Spanish Refugee Children, in Wellington. Both he and Cr. W. T. Glasgow opposed the launching of an appeal in the borough for Spanish children; but the council decided to announce an appeal, leaving, it to the public to respond if it wished-. “I am not very much in favour of helping Spanish refugee children,” said Cr. Glasgow. “We have got plenty of trouble in New Zealand. Why go to the trouble of starting an appeal for children we know nothing about? It is wasting New Zealand’s money.” The Mayor (Mr E. L. Smith) said he understood that other parts of the Em-

pire had accepted some responsibility for Spanish refugees. He thought something should be done to support this work.

“I am a great believer in charity beginning at home,” said Cr. Clarke. “If we have any spare money it should be spent in New Brighton. What interest have we in Spain? If they get into' trouble they should help themselves, instead of coming to us on the other side of the globe.” “Duty to Help”

Mr Smith said that the council could leave it to the people themselves. “If other portions o' the British Empire are taking these children, and shielding them, there is no reason why New Brighton should not help. If we got into trouble .the first thing we would do would be to squeal for help.” Cr. H. R. Macdonald; As for leaving other people to their own devices, it does not sound like a Christian sentiment. We are supposed to be Christian people, and when innocent people, particularly children, are suffering by war. it is the duty of every man, woman, and child to help. It is evident that the appeal is made on humanitarian grounds. The indigent people of New Brighton are cared for out of taxation by the Government and. -as the Mayor said, it can be left to the citizens to please themselves about responding to the appeal. The council passed a motion by Cr. Macdonald, adopting the suggestion by 'the Wellington committee that an appeal should be launched in the borough.

The Japanese whaling depot ship Nisshin Maru, 16.764 tons, on her maiden trip to the Antarctic, caught 1570 whales, which yielded 18,850 tons of oil.