DISTRESS IN THE HIGHLANDS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16883, 21 December 1916, Page 11

DISTRESS IN THE HIGHLANDS.

TO THS KDIIOB. Sie,_-I notice another letter from "S. M." in your issuo ol August 25 last on the above subject. He'talks about "dogmatic assertion" on my paxt; yet, residing in Utago, he dogmatises on the present position in the Hjgiilands, and suggests that he Knows more about it than we who are in daily touch with it, and than the league, most of whose officers and members reside there, and have lived there all their lives.

Unfortunately there are always men about, like " S. M.," who seem to take a delight in doing what they can to spoil any effort to make the lot of the poor easier. I am proud to remember 1 am a Dunedinite, and to have the definite evidence before me that such a spirit as "S. M." seeks to introduce to my countrymen there has cot yet seized them. The splendid response from Dunedin to our appeal is the best rebuke "S. M." could get. Every shilling and every little sock and item of clothing from Otago that have been sent with that kindlier spirit are to-day bringing tears of joy and thankfulness in many poor homes in the' Highlands. I wish I could show in Dunedin, were it possible without revealing the identity of the recipients, the hundreds of letters of thanks and deepest gratitude coming to our offices. Mr Cameron, Produce Commissioner for New Zealand, who represents Sir Thomas Mackenzie on our Relief Committee, sees them as they como in. Hero are one or two extracts from the letters of ministers distributing for us just in this week:

One old woman I gave some of your money to last winter had no fire in her house for three weeks till she got your help. She wept as she told mo that she had relations in New Zealand that the Lord had surely moved to send her this. An old man, whose only son and support died of wounds in France, was fined and put out of his house, although he had nowhere to go, because the landlord wanted the place. Your help secured him shelter till something can bo done for him.

One very old woman (over 80) was, •when I called, munching at a dry crust and putting salt on it. When asked why she put salt on the bread, she said she felt faint, and thought that tho salt would help the small morsel to reach her heart and malce her thankful. One lassie I gave help to has carried on the work of two small crofts since tho men left for the war. Her mother is confined to bod, and the gale swept the roof off house, byre, and shed. When I called this lassie was up to her luiecs in tho water saving what she could oi her small harvest of sheaves from the river. Her poor homo was a week, and I'm not ashamed to say we cried together when wo saw the position and this lassie's nobie behaviour. Your help will give her fresh courage. She has many relatives m Otago.

These are typical extracts that could bo multiplied by hundreds from coming in It is not a question of politics or who this work should bs left to. While .scribblers to the newspapers go on dissecting our membership roll and criticising our councillors' lac'k of titles and fame, we arc going right on with this relief work, as far as funds at our disposal permit. We helped 3000 cases last winter. It looks like as. if wo shall have 5000 casesVo attend to this winter, and all tho assistance possible will bo welcomed.—l am. etc., G. J. BnrjCE,

Hon. Secretary Highland Land League Tho Strand, London, October 24.