HELP FOR CHINESE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22877, 4 November 1937, Page 14

HELP FOR CHINESE

APPEAL EOR EUPftIS attitude of councils NEWMARKET DISCUSSION " Tfc might h*nd to trouble," snid Mr. P. I'hilpot, in commenting on 1 lie recommendation of the Legal and Finance Commit tee of tho Newmarket Borough Council Inst ni«lit that a list should bo opened calling for subscriptions to assist refugees in China. Tho recommeiklation followed tlie receipt of n letter from tlio National Missionary Couhcil appealing for financial assistance for tlio refugees. It was stated in tlio letter that tlio Primo Minister, Mr. Savago, had viewed the appeal sympathetically. "It ]>uts us in an awkward position." said Mr. I'hilpot. "Some other organisation sympathising with tlio Japanese might want assistance" and there is the danger we might bo accused of taking sides.

The Mayor, Mr. S. Donaldson: Tho Prime Minister favours tin; appeal, so 1 think wo are on safe ground.

" 1 am (|uitc in sympathy with tho appeal," said Mr. I'hilpot, " but wo were faced with some difficulty somo time ago, when we wore asked to assist the financing of nurses ior the Spanish War."

'J'he Mayor said that appeal had not been recognised by the Primo Minister. It was only a personal appeal. Tho recommendation of the committee that a circular letter should bo sent out and that a subscription list should be opened was carried unanimously. The Mayor of Birkenhead, Mr. K. J. Osborne, was authorised by the Birkenhead Ho rough Council last night to open a subscription list in response to the appeal of tho Bod Cross Society for funds to ameliorate tho distress of tlio people of China.