THE RUSSIAN FAMINE.

Waipa Post, Volume XX, Issue 1244, 18 May 1922, Page 5

THE RUSSIAN FAMINE.

RELIEVING THE SUFFERERS.

APPEAL TO TE AWAMUTU

On Thursday afternoon Mr A. S. Richards, representing the Auckland Russian Famine Relief Fund Committee, met at the Town Hall, Te Awamutu, a number of representative gentlemen, with whom he conferred anent the raising of local funds for this cause. In the absence of the Mayor, who is visiting Wellington, and owing to the indisposition of the deputyMayor (iMr J. G. Wynyard), Cr S. Clark presided, and there were also present: Rev. A. M. Niblock, Rev. F. A. Thompson, Rev. S. Henderson, Rev. Father Edge, and Mr C". G. Downes. Mr W. Jeffery apologised for nonattendance.

The chairman said he had pleasure in introducing Mr Richards. The Russian famine relief movement was supported by leading people, including Mr David Lloyd George and Dr Nansen, while the Bishop of London and the Pope had sent out special appeals for the starving millions of Russia's population. Mr Richards had come at a very inopportune time, as the War Memorial Commitee had its plan of campaign ready for launching. Still ihe thought they should do their best in the circumstances, as "the call was imperative and the need to help 'based on humanitarian grounds. An Imperative Call.

Mr Richards said the committee was entirely non-sectarian, non-party, and represented a movement the ramifications of which were world-wide. Its activities were based on an appeal to save million people from an agonising death by starvation. Auckland city, Thames, and thereabout had responded nobly to the cause, and he hoped to command support in Te Awamutu. N.AII money raised would be used in New Zealand for purchasing New Zealand products of which the Russians were so sorely in need. They had Dr Nansen's assurance that nine millions to eleven million people must surely perish if relief were~.not afforded, as the crops in the Volga valley and other parts of Russia had failed, and also his authority for stating that one-half per cent to one per cent only was lost to the fund in costs of transit, administration, etc. 'Sir Phillip Gibbs had described Dr Nansen's organisation for the distribution of relief as being simply marvellous; it was beyond description. By it they were sustaining the lives of millions of Russians, for one and a half pence per day provided food for one individual. The magnitude of the disaster which had overtaken Russia was beyond conception. The famine was brought about by the greatest drought experienced in the history of mankind. The Volga valley, once the scene of bountiful harvests, was scorched and burnt like an ash, and presented the spectacle of a desert in which the onl% vestige of life was the poor peasant folk in their dying agony. The terrors of the drought were multiplied by the fact that it occurred just after seven years of war, civil and international,, and a naval blockade which had disorganised the country's transport. u A Danger to Humanity." "Our duty," added Mr Richards, " makes it positively essential that we assist in the relief works. Dr Nansen has issued the plain warning that western civilisation must go to the rescue with £3,000,00 or its equivalent in produce. If not, it is quite conceivable that we will be exposed to a scourge which will ravage the whole human race. That danger lies in millions of dead, the victims of this devastating famine, lying about unburied, causing disease germs to be scattered by the four winds. We must,'therefore, rise in a supreme might and effort, and take up this work, partly in self-defence."

ContinuingTMr Richards added that the appeal had been taken up magnificently in America, while Poland was also assisting; Austria was doing its best, though it was handicapped by its own weakness and an 'outbreak of typhus, which had reached its territory from 'Russia. He would be prepared to deliver a lecutre, illustrated by scenes from Russia, to assist the committee in raising funds. Mr Henderson thought they should get Mr Richards to address a meeting in the theatre'.

Father Edge said that he had already taken up two collections in his church for this purpose—one iij. response to the Pope's appeal and the other in reply to a request from a recognised London committee. These had realised £34 and £l4 respectively^ After discussion it was agreed that Mr Richards deliver a lecture in the Empire Theatre on' Monday next in aid of the proposal, and that the Waipa Post be requested to open a subscription list for the fund. Mr Downes consented to act as honorary secretary.