5 JUNE 1947, Page 16

THE SKOLT LAPPS

Sta,—A small tribe of Lapps is being destroyed by the consequences of our wars. Out of 400 people, 200 have died. The herds of reindeer, by which the Lapps lived, were killed to feed the soldiery. Now the 200 survivors will also die, unless reindeer can be found for them. The reindeer are for sale in Sweden. For £2,000, all told, we can save zoo lives and make the tribe self-supporting. Under the patronage of Sir Ernest Barker, Victor Gollancz, Augustus John, General Sir Frederick Maurice and Flora Robson, we have formed a relief committee, of which I am chairman, and we are appealing for funds to atone, to some extent at least, for one of the most characteristic crimes of our civilisation: the destruction of a small and highly gifted tribe. Offerings are to be sent to Mr. P. R. Rainsford, Hon. Treasurer, Skolt Lapp Relief Fund (under the War Charities Act), 21 Frognal, London, N.W.3.—Yours sincerely,