GIVE-AND GIVE QUICKLY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2029, 16 August 1920, Page 6

GIVE-AND GIVE QUICKLY.

At tliis singe citizens should need no reminder of Hie extent and tragic nature of the plight of Central Ivurnpe. Austria, as the Peace Treaty has left her, is stricken to the mallow. She is a nation absolutely "lying on her feel. Two years ago, disease and starvation were rife in Austria. To-day, despite the sympathetic doles of Britain, America »ikl (lie, rest, conditions have become appalling. Austria lias not the means lo live, even if she had the

"will. She has steadily declined into a state of utter helpless despair. And there am nations outside Austria whose state is no better. Hence the organisation of a "Fight the Famine" movement, in which New Zealand has been asked to participate. Several of the other centres have started funds for the relief of war's innocent victims in Central and Southern Europe. A meeting was held in Christchurch last evening to inaugurate the movement in this district. It is regrettable to know that there was such a sparse attendance. As a "public" meeting the affair -was a failure. But the speakers made out an eloquent case for immediate aid and aid in generous proportions. The measure of our giving should correspond with the measure of our escape from the evils, economic and social, which have descended on the afflicted countries. New Zealand has been relatively fortunate in its post-bellum experiences. That being so, it would becomes us but ill to turn a casual ear to the cry from these new Macedonias. This country cannot allow it to be said that it failed to heed the poignant distress of its erstwhile enemies. During the great struggle we filled the role of the Good Samaritan admirably. With war no longer filling the world with thunder and the smell of blood, the need of succouring the helpless remains as urgent as ever it was, and for our good name's sake we cannot afford to stint our benevolence in this instance. If Central Europe is not cured to-day, heaven alone knows what baleful form the aftermath may assume.