COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS' CRUSADE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 299, 15 December 1917, Page 9

COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS' CRUSADE.

StrRPRISE PACKET DAT,

ABSOLUTELY _>0 BLANKS.

1 Judging, by tho splendid donations for prizes, those who purchase the coupons issued next Wednesday by the Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen's Association, should, while .benefiting the Red Cross Fund, at the same time have a " good run for their money." For one thing, there will be no blanks. Each coupon will assure a prize at least worth sixpence, and as the other half goes to such a worthy object, no one will regret the donation. It is only by business acumen and great organisation that such a gigantic Surprise Packet Day could have been so successfully arranged. Committees were set up in each branch of trade, to collect gifts for prizes, and that the work was well done is manifest by the result. Evidently business firms have given most liberally, added to which the commercial travellers and soft goods warehousemen have been equally generous with their time and talent. Now it only remains for the public generally to respond, and in doing so to remember others made the gifts and did the work to raise this money for the organisation that cares for our sick and wounded boys at the front. It was a happy thought to fix the day for this special effort so close to the Christmas season, for the Cross reminds us all that it is to the One whose sepulchre pur soldiers have just assisted to wrest from the Mahommedan, is due the fact that there is this great organisation for caring for the sick and wounded.

The arrangements for next Wednesday are as admirable as might have been expected from business men. The Harbour Board kindly gave the free use of the large shed on the Central wharf, where the gifts are already being delivered and arranged on systematic lines, so that there will be as little delay as possible in handing over the prizes. Sapid selling of coupons and celerity in the de- , livery of the prizes iB aimed at. Holders iof coupons will be admitted at the door fronting Customs Street, and once inside, they can tell from the drapings on the counters, being the same colour as ; their ticket, where to go for their prize. j Some hundreds of ladies have offered to I sell coupons, and will start the campaign jat 7 a_n. on Wednesday, with a house-to-house canvass. The streets of the city will be thoroughly worked, and the holders of coupons are requested to lose as -little time as possible in getting down the tne shed on the Central wharf to secure their prizes. Varied, indeed, are the articles donated and there is a. chance of going home with a goose, a duck, a turkey or a rooster for a shilling coupon. In fact it would almost seem as if a poultry farm had been started by the organisation. Matches are advancing in price, but next Wednesday packets upon packets of I " safetys " are offering, all for a shilling. Grocery, hardware, toys, fancy goods, and drapery all are listed amongst tho prizes. Tea is stated to be getting in short 6upply, but there are lots of packets for distribution on that day. Those who wish to help the Red Cross have the certainty of a prize worth at the least sixpence, together with ..a, chance-,, for several"valued at £150, and all for the: nimole shilling. The special prizes alone number over £500, ranging from seaside sections to a splendid piano, that cost 116 guineas; to say nothing of the magnificent collection of kauri gum now on exhibition, which is valued at £150.

In order to assure a fair chance for the special prizes for all buyers of coupons, a number of prominent citizens have been invited to attend at the Club Rooms on Monday for the purpose of putting envelopes for special prizes in every bundle of coupons that is issued to canvassers. By a skilful system of mixing, it is_ assured that every seller will bave.a wide range of prizes amongst the coupons to be disposed of. The wahines of the Maori troupe from Gisborne have offered to dance hakas. etc., in the street on Wednesday in order to attract purchasers of coupons, and it is needless to say this was promptly accepted, as it should be a great attraction. So far all workers and givers have done their part well; the rest lies with the general public.