A meeting was held at H.B.M. Consulate on the afternoon of the 11th instant to consider what action the Britishers resident in Ningpo should take in the National movement for helping those who have been left behind by "The Absent-Mind-a Beggars."
The meeting was called at the instance of H.B.M. Acting Consul, Mr. E, Bennett, and at 4.30 p.m, the drawl the Consulate was Glled wit amongst whom was one naturalised Chinese.
Mr. Bennett proposed the first rosel tion:—"'That a fund be raised aid of the disabled and of the families of those killed and wounded in our force in the Transvaal, and be remitted to the Lord Mayor of London."
In a few choice words, Mr. Bennett pub before those present the duty and privilege of easing some of the burdens of our soldiers and sailors, He mentioned the four funds towards which subscriptions could be given, viz:—The Patriotic Fund Lloyd's Patriotic Fund; The British Red GrossSociety; and The Soldiers' and Sailurs' Fam lies Association.
He candidly admitted that the last had his entire sympathy. Captain C. Deighton-Braysher on rising to second the resolution anil: Doubtless you have read the report of the meeting held in Shanghai a few days ago For the Sufferers from the War," and it would be but reiteration to add to the touching appeals made by Messrs. Warren, Anderson, Campbell, Muirhe and MeLeod, since I feel sure you will all generously come forward and render as much help as lies in your power. The Home papers by the last mail tell us in very simple words how that new poem of Rudyard Kipling has been received and the amount of good it has been the cause of doing nud is still doing.
In that poem he tells us "Phere is gas and coals and vittles, and the house rent falling due, 4nd ity more than rather likely there's ae I am afraid there will bea great many "kids" left fatherless, and in the words of the poem just quoted I would urge upon you all to pay! pay! pay Standing before you here I am in ago senior to you all, and not one of you Rorrors of war and the sufferings it entails, resent, except from hearsay, knows the
It seems to me to be but yesterday since T witnessed Florence Nightingale steam out of the Golden Horn for the last time, when but three wounded men were left in the Scutari Hospital; and now in memory of my personal experience of those days, Lappeal to you for all the support you possibly can give to the families of our dead and wounded soldiers and sailors.
The Rev. W. 8. Moule, B. A., in moving the second resolution: ' "That a Committee be appointed to collect funds," spoke of how recent events had peculiarly moved the hearts of Britishers, especially the younger generation, and was personally thankful that the meeting had been so Following four gentlemen constitute the promptly called. He proposed that the
Committee:—E. Bennett, F. 8. Saunders, Dr. Smyth and Dr. Swallow.
Mr. Palmer of the China Inland Mission seconded the resolution.
The Rev, R. Swallow, M.D., eloquent address supported the' motion. "The present position of affairs" he said, "appealed to the hearts of all Britishers." Hecould from the highest motives appeal for Nefled before God and the Father being, practical sympathy, "pure religion and unto visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." fine lot of disciplined men, unexampled was a just cause of pride to see such a the world's history, going forth to fight the nation's battles. "He believed that they would cause no blush of shame to mantle the cheeks of the nation through sny unbridled manifestation of their passions. He had fall trust that our soldiers and sailors would so act not only in battle, but throughout the whole campaign as_to worthily represent the British nation. We, as Britishers, had privileges which no other European nation gave to its subjects, not the least being that we and our children were free from conscription.. How it would add to the intensity of our feelings if any of us had children engaged in this war! But if we have none of our own children in the ranks, there are many fathers and mothers who have. They.are our representatives and the least we can do is to represent them in their families. Let there be equal representation, so that where there is sorrow there shall at least be no want and bodily distress because of the disabled or dead breadwinner. One thing he felt sure of was, that no British soldier or sailor woul. fall who had not his face to the foe, and that when this unhappy war was ended, and long days afterwards, there would be no cause to blush for the way in which they had fought for their country. He appealed, then, that each one should give his mite, his greater portion, and to the end still give; so that not a single widow nor one fatherless child shall have to go from door to door to seek the charity which it is now our privilege to manifest from patriotic and Christian motives.
The two resolutions were unanimously carried, the proceedings terminating by the enthusiastic singing of "God Save the Queen."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.