CONCERN FELT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 253, 7 August 1941, Page 4

CONCERN FELT.

SELLING OF SOLDIERS’ GIFTS SCHOOL COMMITTEE’S VIEWS Statements in letters from Now Zealand soldiers serving overseas and articles and letters in the newspapers to the effect that gifts sent from New Zealand had boon sold to the men were; commented t on at the monthly meeting of the Ashburton Borough School Committee last evening, when the headmaster (Air M. J. Leith) drew attention in. his report to air appeal by the Canterubry Education Board for funds from school children for soldiers’ parcels. A circular from the Board disclosed that the appeal Was being made by the Children’s War Effort Committee t and it was aimed at raising money on the .basis of one shilling a child, the Borough School with a roll of 441 being therefore expected to contribute £22 Is. It was intended to include cards in: the parcels stating from what school the parcels had come. The number of parcels from a. particular school would he based on its financial contribution. After a long discussion in camera, the committee released the following statements: - “We view with concern that from personal reports received and letters appearing in the newspapers it would appear that the contents of parcels dispatched ns gifts to soldiers have been, sold to them.” “That this committee heartily supports the efforts of the Children’s War Effort Committee of. the Canterbury Education Board in launching a further appeal for the purpose of forwarding parcels to all New Zealand soldiers serving overseas on the basis of a subscription of one shilling a pupil. ' This Committee, however, wishes to he assured by the Children’s War Effort Committee that any sum remitted towards the above appeal shall he directly given to the soldiers, in the form of parcels, distributed to any soldier without any change, whatsoever.”