SPANISH ORPHANS

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 146, 23 June 1938, Page 9

SPANISH ORPHANS

RELIEF FUND

APPEAL BY THE MAYOR

£10,000 AIMED AT

An appeal to the citizens of Wellington to. support the relief funds for homeless Spanish orphans is made by the Mayor (Mr. T.,C. A. Hislop), who stresses the great need there is for this charity.

'Today in Spain, half a million people are homeless,' 1 he "Of these no fewer than 53,000 are orphaned children, and their ranks are being added to at the rate of 70 a day. These children wander shelterless and hungry, cared for as much as possible by the . charitable organisations whose members risk everything in a desperate fight for the lives of these bewilderea infants. Agriculture and industry are at .a-standstill in Spain, and food and clothes difficult to procure. 1 Any relief that can be given must be given' by people outside n 'is the intention that as much as is practicable of,the money raised wjfl be spent here in New Zealand on Nlw Zealand-made clothes and foods. We will seek from the Red Cross now actively engaged in relief work in Spain, advice as to the kind and quantity of goods required. ,It must not be forgotten that when this fund is closed winter will be fast approaching in Spain and every donation—even the. smallest—may prove the means of sav-! ing some small child from death by starvation or exposure. "The trustees of the fund to be raised are Claude Weston, Esq., K.C., D.5.0., and W. P. Rojlirigs, Esq., LL.B. The fund will be administered by the New Zealand High Commissioner in London, who will co-operate with relief organisations in Spam in the distribution of money arid goods. "It must be clearly .understood that this appeal is non-partisan and nonreligious—it is to aid children of any and every political cause and creed. "I commend this appeal to all who have children of their own, who .are prosperous and secure, who can, without hardship to themselves, give freely to relieve the distress'of these, unwitting and pathetic victims of this tragedy tiiat is Spain's; It is hoped to raise:the sum of £10,000 throughout Sew Zealand, and I feel confident that Ellington citizens will do their share in responding to this appeal as splendidly as they have to other appeals in the'; 'past." ' COiMMITTEE SET UP.

Under the auspices "of the Mayor, a citizen*' committee has been formed to raise the >fund. The commit tee consists of the following:—Chairman, Mr. Erie Reeves; trustees, Messrs. C. H:'Weston* K.C.,'and W. P. Rollings; treasurer, the Wellington City Treasurer; secretary, Mr. J. K. Purdie; members of committee, Misses England, Deste; and Crombie, Mesdames Suckling, : Graham-Dawson, Dennis-toun-Wood, Acres-Jones, Webb, :McGowaiv and Lack, Professor F. L. W. Woodr'-Rev. W. H. P. McKenzie, Messrs.'Evan Parry, G. Joseph, A. <-.. Barrlhgton, G. =T; Wiggs,-G. L. Lawn, y? T>-Doig, J'. Annand. :Snutn, -U.- -A. Ewen, and-Httgh Robinson; Messrs. I. J. Bridger (representing the New Zealand Red Cross Society), and Edward Dowsett (representing the Society of Friends). 1. .'""'" '. ~ * - In an endeavour to raise the sum of £10,000 throughout New Zealand, the Wellington committee is soliciting the aid of the Mayors of every town an New Zealand in the formation of local committees.The Red Cross and Society of Friends organisations, which are actively engaged in relief work in Spain, will be. asked to advise as to suitable purchases and the seasonal requirements of theydestitute children. The movement is'entirely non-poli-tical, arid it is the intention that the proceeds of the funds shall be distributed to all children in want, to whatever political cause or religious creed they owe adherence. That the need for relief is a very real one is evidenced, by the fact that-it'is estimated since the outbreak of war, a quarter of a million children have lost One or both parents, and the ranks of the Spanish orphans are increased at the rate of

70 a day. . The £ 10,000, which is the aim of this organisation, will mean life for countless babies, and even the smallest contribution may mean protection against death by starvation or exposure for one of these helpless infants. The "Government of New Zealand has put at the disposal of the New Zealand High Commissioner the sum of £2000 for the relief of destitute and orphaned Spanish children, irrespective of the political, beliefs their parents may have held. In the past citizens of Wellington have always been nptable for the measure of support given to deserving charities, and it is hoped that they will be no less enthusiastic in their support of suck a worthy cause.

Any citizens able and desirous of helping by organising bridge parties, etc., iare asked to communicate with the ..secretary; ; Donations forwarded to the City Treasurer; Wellington, will be acknowledged with; thanks. * '

DONATIONS ACKNOWLEDGED

The City Treasurer acknowledges with thanks the following donations for the abovemeritioned fund:— £ s. d. Lady Buckletone — 5 0 0 C..H. Weston .... 2 2 0 Phillips and Pike 5 5 0 D. A. Ewen 5 5 0 Bishop Holland .......... 110 O. C. Mazengarb 1 1 0 E. P. Hay 110 R. L. Macalister ~ 110 J. Annand-Smlth 2 2 0 E. Parry 1 1 0 W. P. Rollings 110 E. Reeves 1 1 0 Ross, Purdie, and,Co 2 2 0 "E.K.G." 2 0 0 Total .... 31 3 0 1.L.0. CONFERENCE '•' . m ONLY'ONE NEW CONVENTION ADOPTED '■ (Received June 23, 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, June 22. The Geneva correspondent of "The * Times*' says that the International Labour Conference, which has, ended; adopted only one new convention, dealing with the internatiohalisation of certain Labour statistics. The remainder of the business, which was accorded a first reading and will form the agenda for the 1939 conference, included proposals for a reduction of hours ift coal mines, generalisation of reduction in hours of work, draft -conclusions relating to projected international conventions on technical education, apprenticeship, native labour contracts, and recruiting of migrant!.