RUSSIAN FAMINE APPEAL

Evening Star, Issue 17925, 22 March 1922, Page 8

RUSSIAN FAMINE APPEAL

A meeting of those interested in a public appeal on behalf of the starving population of .Russia and other European countries, called by the mayor of tho city (Mr J. S. Douglas), was held in the Town, Hall yesterday afternoon. Tho Mayor, who presided, having mentioned tho object of the meeting, stated that some timo ago he had received a telegram from tho Lord Mayor of London, that they were desirous of obtaining contributions from countries connected with the Empire. A letter had followed that telegram. We were here faced with unemployment and financial stress, but there were others who had to be considered. The Mayor'went on to mention what had subsequently transpired, and stated that an appeal had been made by the Press, and £SO had been subscribed. But that was very small for a city like Dunedin. Since then the Press had been continually accepting donations, which had no doubt been forwarded to tho Minister of Internal Affairs, The question for tho meeting was as to tho best methods to pursue. Tho Rev. Bush-King moved that the meeting endorses tho appeal of the Red Cross Societies for the relief of the people of Central Europe, and commends tho appeal to tho earnest sympathy of the citizens of Dunedin. The motion was seconded by Prof. Pringle, who said that tho question was an urgent one. There were two reasons that might be advanced why New Zealand should not take part in tho movement. One was the problem of unemployment, which was no excuse, and the other was that it was suggested that Russia was a Bolshevik State, and that wo should not become involved with it. But ho contended that this was a case of common humanity. Tho motion was carried, and after some discussion, in the course of which it was suggested by Canon Ncvill that they should have a “ Russian Day,” it was further moved by the Rev. Bush-King—-“That a committee consisting of representatives of the various churches, public and semi-public bodies be sot up, to include the mayor, the Revs. Diamond, Fairmakl, Rugby Pratt, Kempton, Balfour, Prof. Pringlo, as representing tho League of Nations, Colonel Colquhnun, Mr Bosevrar, Cr Begg, Mesdames Jackson, Carmalt Jones, and Driver.”

This motion was withdrawn a few minutes later, it being suggested that it would he better to first of all set up a small committee, which could be extended. The motion ultimately passed was that a committee consisting of Prof. Pringle, Canon Nevill, Mr Saunders (Trades and Labor Council), Mr Rnsevear, Cr Begg, Mrs Camalt Jones, Mrs Jackson, and the mayor (Mr Douglas) be set up to go into the matter.