RENDERED HOMELESS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17216, 19 January 1918, Page 5

RENDERED HOMELESS

FRENCH WOMEN AND CHILDREN,

ASSISTANCE FROM NEW ZEALAND,

Another phase of Hun brutality has been brought under the notice of the Minister of Defence. From information in l the Hon. Sir James Allen's possession it appears that large numbers of French women and children have been turned out of their homes by tho invading Germans, and that a hospital has been established at Etrambieres in France for tho treatment of these French repatries. When seen by a Daily Times reporter yesterday Sir James said that away back in June last 'the High Commissioner telegraphed that the London Committee of the French Red Cross had asked him to place before the New Zealand Government and solicit their support to a scheme for the establishment of a hospital for these repatries. Tho High Commissioner informed the Government that there were over 1000 refugees arriving daily through Switzerland. He stated that the committee would bo glad if Now Zealand would undertake the equipment for a hospital with from 400 to 500 bods, and the responsibility for its maintenace for a period not exceeding two years. The equipment and running expenses for ono year wero estimated at £12,000; and that was in addition to the usual two francs 50 cents per patient to be granted by tho Government of France.

"The New Zealand Government," continued Sir James Allen, "agreed to support tho establishment of this hospital on the terms of the High Commissioner's telegram, having ascertained that it would require £4000 for equipment and £6000 a year to run the establishment; and remitted immediately £7000—being the equipment and a half-year's maintenance. At the same time they informed the High Commissioner that the women of New Zealand would be willing to supply clothing for tho women and children.

"In accordance with this latter request, her Excellency Lady Liverpool was communicated with and conveyed the information to tho ladies who are working for her society; and a very ready response was the result. So ready was it that some set to work to gather big sums of money, and it is upon this point I want to give information to tho public. "As the New Zealand Government. - ' added the Minister, "has equipped the hospital and is paying for its maintenance, there is no need for largo sums of money to be gathered in New Zealand in connection with the Etrnmbr lores Hospital. What, is needed is clothing for women and children; and it may be necessary to get together a small sum of monev to buy materia! for the clothing, hut nothing more than this is. I think, required, and I have so informed Lady Liverpool. I hope, therefore, that people will not set to workto git her large sums of money, hut will simply raise what is nocessary for the material in their own districts."