RELIEF FUND

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue LXVIII, 19 October 1914, Page 5

RELIEF FUND

POOR OF GREAT BRITAIN, IRELAND AND BELGIUM.

WELLINGTON, Oct. 17. His Excellency the Governor has issued the following: The above fund was started some little time ago for the purpose of relieving distress among the poor, which was bound to make itself apparent, especially during the winter months, which are now approaching. The committees in Wellington and Christchurch have asked me whether I would assume the office of patron of the Fund, and assist them in its administration, a request to which I have gladly acceded. I am pleased to be afforded this opportunity of saying how much the splendid and self-sacrificing efforts of all the people of these islands are appreciated by those in the Old Country; and while desiring to avoid over-taxing the public generosity and having in view the fact that the war may entail hardships on the people of New Zealand before its conclusion > the committee trust that all those who may see this appeal will not consider it incumbent on them to contribute, as the fund was started solely with the object of collecting and expeditiously forwarding the contributions of those desirous of relieving distress in Great Britain, Ireland, and Belgium". While bearing in mind the undesirability of duplicating the patriotic funds or interfering in aty way with the existing ones, the committee are most anxious that their fund should be efficiently administered, and as 't appears to them undesirable to amalgamate it in any one particular centre, because such a course would make it difficult to administer and control, they suggest that all centres who have collected subscriptions should forward or notify their contributions to the general secretary (Mr Shallcrass), and I will myself then see they are forwarded Home in bulk as soon as the fund is closed. It is suggested that all contributions, whether in money or kind, should be sent to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales' fund for distribution by the committee of that fund, and that the High Commissioner should at the Eame tune be asked to notify me of the manner in v which the contributions havo been dealt with. Any gifts in kind will be forwarded as opportunity arises, but it would be as well to advise Mj Shallcrass before sending them to him, as at the present time it is exceedingly difficult to-find ship accommodation. It is proposed to send the first instalment of the fund on October 31st. No date has yet been fixed for definitely closing thefund. In conclusion, it must.be remembered that H.R.H. the Prince of Wales' Fund is for* the relief of distress in Great Britain and Ireland; lut it is proposed to request the committee of

I . ~~ 1 tin fund to apply such part of the f (not exceeding 25 per cent. • thereof they may think fit for the relief of Bejgian poor.—(Signed) Liverpool.-