BELGIAN WAR FUND

North Otago Times, Volume C, Issue 13148, 1 September 1914, Page 5

BELGIAN WAR FUND

APPEAL TO LOCAL SYMPA- "1 TIUSEBS, '! ' L. la response to a request that the pjess of Noy Zealand should assist the Belgian relief Fund, have pleasure in opening a fund for the purpose in the columns of "The North Otago Times.". "Wc commend the Fund for tho following reasons:— (( That, having taken up arms to , light 1 the common foe, the Belgian' nation is sacvilicing its lincst manhood, and lias laid its ilouiishing provinces: of tho booted heel of the'callous invader; the people's ' homes have been violated, and many of their towns have been

wrecked. ('J) If, instead of offering armed iosibtance, they had accepted German bribes, the enemy would huvc'-cai-ried out its plan of campaign without hindrance, have invaded Fiance, and established tttiong strategic positions during the eaily stages of

the war. (3) The stubborn resistance of Belgium has prevented this—has, in fact, bent the edge of the Gorman sword, and /considerably addcd v to the Allies' prospects, of- ultimate victory. This has saved the Allies many millions sterling, arid must reduce their death-roll eonsid-

orably, (i) Belgium's noblest service to civilisation perhaps lies in the fact that she is lighting for the" principlo of international honour. Prom the first'boat of the drum she fully real" ised that, even with the best for> tunc of war, she could not keep tho armies of Germany out of her fair land. By unsheathing the sword, Bolgium again became the cockpit of Europe. ■ ■ (5) It is therefore the first duty, anil it should be the pleasure, of people in the overseas dominions, living in peace ami far from the awful field of conflict, to do all that lies in their powers to recoup the Belgians for the supreme sacrifices they have made. Large donations arc not souglit A as it is felt that every Britisher in New Zealand should give his mite ami thus give a practical expression of our sympathy, ami appreciation of the plucky Belgians. . The editor of "The North Otago Times" gratefully acknowledges the following contributions to the above fund:— £ s (1 iJolin Buckley (Kedcastle) .. 2a 0 0 Staff of llaywards Pictures I) 0 0 £2B 0 0