THE ARMENIAN QUESTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5777, 22 January 1897, Page 2

THE ARMENIAN QUESTION.

A well-atten3ed meeting of the Women's Union was held in the V.M.C.A. rooms yesterday afternoon, Mrs M'Kee occupied the chair and read extracts setting forth many of the horrors which characterised the Armenian massacres. Mrs M'Kee also read a letter from Miss Willard, which impressed on those who were able the desirableness of finding employment in other countries for those Armenians who had si narrowly escaped death. Miss Willard and Lady Henry Somerset were organising an Emigration Society, the aim of which was to enable the Armenians to reach that free country, America. Having reached that country they would stiU J require roofs to cover them, clothes to wear and food to eat. In order to give them these advantages money was needed, and it was for this purpose the meeting was called. Peace might be bought at too dear a price, and that peace which suffered such atrocities to go unpunished, or to leave the Armenians without help, was not a creditable peace. Even the religion which made men religious for themselves alone, was worthless as compared with the religion which helped others. The speaker concluded with an eloquent appeal to her hearers for assistance. . Mrs Munnings said that what was wanted in these days -was the religion of Christ. Was it manly for the great trained army of England to stand by and see these massacres going on ? The drying up of the Euphrates showed, a fulfilment of prophecy, and probably pointed to the destruction of the 'Turkish Power. The speaker prophesied a general cleansing, political, social and ecclesiastical. By the Christian religion which they professed they were bound to help their neighbours, and the rapid development of the telegraph and improvements in modern travelling had made the whole world their neighbours. Mrs Searle Grossmann pointed out that Lady Henry Somerset and Miss Willard wero to be thoroughly relied on so far as the expenditure of the contributions sent was concerned. She hoped that no talk of "sensationalism" would divert the sympathy of her audience. No evil could be remedied without the "sensation" of sympath} I*,1 *, aud they must have the moral courage to read tho terrible stories which excited that sympathy. The Duke of Argyll had founded what was known as tlie Byron Society, which had for its chief object the destruction of the Turk. The world was so united now, that the speaker thought that even New Zealand could exert some influence on the matter. Mrs Lodge recapitulated some special terrors of the Armenian massacres. She thought that Lady Somerset would feel proud that the women of New Zealand were on her side. ' Mrs M'Kee read a letter from Miss Steele which expressed sympathy with the objects of the meeting. Another meeting .■.•as arranged for Feb. ! 4, at 7.30 p.m., to wi.ich it was proposed to invite men. A subscription list was opened in the room, and a good start was made. , The proceedings o.^sed with the singing of the National Ant -.em.

Mrs M'Kee acknowledges the following subscriptions received at the meeting yesterday—Mrs D. Paliantyne .£1 Is, Mr C. Farquharson £\, Mrs Munnings 10s, Mrs W. Broughtc*:*- 10s, a Friend 7d, a Friend M. D. 3s, Miss Nicholl ss, Mrs Gaarder os, a Friend os, M. T. 2s 6d, E. M. 2s Gd ; total. 21 : .r, 7d. A general meeting will be held ac the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association on Thursday, Feb. 4, at 7.30 p.m. It is announced that all subscriptions will be acknowledged. Mr Fountain Barber, Cashel Street, has consented to act as treasurer, and the amount will be remitted to Messrs Hodder aud Stoughton, to be acknowledge-! in the British weekly fund, wliich is under the control of Lady Henry Somerset and Miss Willard.