HELP FOR GALLANT NATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15746, 22 October 1914, Page 6

HELP FOR GALLANT NATION.

THE SUFFERING BELGIANS

CAMPAIGN IN AUCKLAND.

REPRESENTATIVE MEETING.

SUM OF £25,000 SUGGESTED.

LARGE COMMITTEE APPOINTED.

Nearly one hundred citizens responded yesterday afternoon to the Mayor's invita- ; tion to meet him in the Council Chambers for the purpose of organising a movement to raise funds throughout the city and province for the relief and assistance of Belgians who have suffered through the war. Mr. Parr said he was delighted to see that so many ladies and gentlemen had interested themselves in the movement to promote a Belgian Relief Fund. In the great struggle now proceeding, the palm of honour would go not to England, France, or Russia, certainly not to Germany, but to gallant little Belgium. (Applause). In the tremendous fight the Belgians had made at Lie?e thry had played an honourable part in the war. To-day, Belgium was depopulated and over-run by Germans. There was no need to mention Louvain to understand what it meant to a .country to bo over-run by these hordes. I A Oall to Civilisation. "If ever there was a call to civilised beings," continued the Mayor, " here is one to you to-day on behalf of the sufferI ing Belgians. All moneys subscribed will be sent to the Consul-General for Belgium at Sydney, and forwarded by him Ito London, where, under the eye of the Embassy and a strong Belgian and English Committee, it will be distributed for the j benefit of the poor and destitute among the refugees. "'I do not think I need labour the case," proceeded Mr. Parr. "We have made provision for own people, and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the way in which you responded to my appeal made some two months ago. That fund realised £50,000 and for the time 1 hope it is enough. If it is not, I am sure that I— any one in my place can make a further appeal and receive a similar ready response. We have done [ well enough for ourselves, let us in the name of our common Christianity and brotherhood, do something for these people, who need assistance far more than do our own people." (Applause.) The Mayor then moved mat those present pledge themselves to assist the Belgians in every possible way. In seconding the motion, which was carried unanimously, Mr. A. G. Luna said that it should be the aim of the movement to gather not less than £25,000. General Committee Formed. The following general committee was elected—bishop Averill, Bishop Cleary, Rabbi Goldstein, Revs. I. Jolly, Coles, bond, E. B. Munro, W. Gillam, E. A. Kirkwood, and A. M. Wilson, Messrs. A. C. Caughey, A. G. Lunn, R. Burns, W. H. Pountney, W. Rattray, John Reid, H. Horton, G. E. Road, A. S. Bunkart, L. J. Duttou, Whitehouse, W. Coleman, F. Bodle, E. Davis, J. 8. Milne, Neville Newcombe, Wesley Spragg. J. Kalaugher, H. Brett, E. Anderson, Charles Rhodes, J. A. Waxnock, V. J. Larner, Hon. George Jt'owldß, Mesdames Burns, Parr, Duflou, E. Davis, Geddes, G. Bloomfield, Ferner, Baume, E. W. G. Rathbone, Wallace, and Misses Melville, Holland, and Stratham. Mr. Hunter, of tho Vice-Consul's office, was elected secretary and Messrs. Burns and Pan- joint treasurers. The selection of an executive committee was left in the hands of the Mayor and Mr. Burns. A Voice Prom the Country. One of those present, who stated that ho had come fcO miles from the country to be present at tho gathering, said he had j given i per cent, of his income to the Patriotic Fund and a similar sum to the Belgian fund. Ho now proposed to give 10 per cent, of his income to the latter fund. "If hatred to Germany is a recommendation," he exclaimed, "I feel 1 have a right to address you. I have sent 1 my boy to the war, and I feel very stroticlv on this subject. You say! £50.000 is a large sum to collect; I am sorrv to say 1 cannot agree with you. 1 hold something less than 100 acres, and known as a small 'cockatoo.' This is known as a wealthy province, and I think £50.000 is a very small contribution from such a community." Suggestions lor Raising Funds. Various practical schemes were submitted for raising the nionev required, one of these being a " Belgium Day," to be held throughout the Dominion. A patriotic sports (fathering was also suggested, while several persons present' mentioned that benefit concerts were beinor organised, and the proceeds would be handed over to the Belgium fund.

Before the meeting closed the Mayor congratulated Mr. Robert- Burns on "the success which had already attended his efforts. The presence of so many people that afternoon, ho said, was testimony to Auckland's desire to assist in the cause which the Acting-Consul bad bo much at heart.

The (General Committee will meet on Wednesday next.

ACTING-CONSUL'S APPEAL.

ADDITIONAL .DONATIONS.

A further consignment of clothing for the relief of the Belgian poor was despatched by Mr. Burns, Acting-Consul for Belgium, in tlia Makura on Tuesday. Among those who contributed clothing and material are:—Mrs. Tola's Sewing Guild, many helpers from Mr. W. Brown of Te Kopuru, Mesdawes llathbone and G. It. Bloomfield's Sewing Guild, and Mrs. Cory Wright, of Tairua. The latest subscriptions roceived bv Mr. Burns are as follows:— £ s. d. Tatter afield, Ltd 25 0 0 S. J. Best and Co. ...- ... 10 10 0 Church of Christ 11 0 0 E. E. Wigg 5 5 0 Edward Wigg's money box ... 0 5 3 Marv M. Hose 5 5 0 J. 11. Upton (second donation) 5 0 0 John H. Shaw 5 0 0, Em ploy F. E. Jackson and Co., Ltd. 5 0 0: H. B. Morton 5 0 0, Proceeds of lecture by Mr. Joseph Clark, at Wai&ou ... 8 9 0 I Rev. Father Doyle 3 3 0 W. E. Dive (second donation) 3 0 0 A. L. Andrews and Co. ... 22 0 L. Hansen 2 0 0 I Mrs. W. R. Pouutney 22 0 I T.S. and R.D 1 10 0 A.R.P.. Christchurch 110 A Sympathiser 10 0 JT. 10 0 Mr. McNamara 10 0 E. J. Bendon 10 0 Sympathy, 12s 6d; John McMahon, 10s: M.C.C., ss; M. and D., 2s; A. Widow, 2s 6d. The following amounts have been received through the Raglan Chronicle (second instalment):W. J. Pond, £2 10a; J. T. Jackson, £1; Miss A. B. Hill, 10s; Mrs. C. Sutton, sen., 10s; Mrs. Bernard, ss; Alma Bernard, 2s 6d; Hy. Bernard, 2s 6d. The following contributions have been received from " the Waiuku district:— C. Motion, £5; Lady Makgill, £3 3s; Dr. Makgill, £2 2s; Mr. Boulte, £2 2s; J. Harris, £2; M. S. Neil, £2 S. D. Denize, £1 10s C. J. Robertson, £1 Is; R, W.

Gillon, £1 Is; E. M. Reid, £1 Is; D. M. Robertson, £1 Is; R.F. Reid, £1 Is; J. Chalmers, £1 la; Mrs. McEhvain, £1 Is; An Acknowledgment, £1; R. Higginson, £1; D. Neil, £1 Is; J. Boyd, £1; W. J. King, 10s; Friend, 10s; M.A.8., 10s; H. Wright, 10s; Louis Rowland, lOs; J. A. Hood, 10s; H. Barnaby, 10s; T. A. Ballantyne, 10s; J. Nevin, ss; 11. Jolly, ss; J. M. Chandler, ss; J. Nevin, ss; Mrs. Woodward, 2s 6d; J. Conroy, 23.