"CRACKING UP."

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 122, 25 May 1928, Page 11

"CRACKING UP."

UNEMPLOYED EX-SOLDIERS. NECESSITY TO CONSERVE

POPPY DAT FUNDS.

APPEAL FOR DISCARDED

CLOTHING

The Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association fears that the funds collected on Poppy Day for the relief of unemployment will be exhausted before the winter ends, and, in an effort to eonserve its resources, it has determined to approach business men's organisations in the city and appeal for supplies of discarded clothing and boots.

The predicament or returned men who have fallen on times of adversity was discussed at length at last night's meeting of the association executive, when it was suggested that an appeal in the proper quarter was all that was necessary to make Aucklanders alive to the situation.

The chairman (Mr. T. H. Dawson) directed attention to the fact that the Poppy Day funds were not going to go very far if the trustees of the fund had to supply applicants for assistance with boots and clothing. A suggestion had been made that an appeal should be made to members of the Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, and Commercial Travellers' Club for articles of that description that would relieve the threatened drain on the funds, and he thought it should commend itself to the executive.

Mr. W. G. Camp, who urged action in the matter, pointed out that the clothing and boots that would result from an appeal could be renovated at nominal cost, and be distributed' to the advantage of the Poppy Day funds. Mr. Sinclair Reid favoured efforts of a practical nature. Reference was made to the difficulty that was likely to be experienced if the suggested appeal were launched, owing to the fact that various organisations had already combed the city for left-off clothing, and were unremitting in their efforts. "The public of Auckland, and the business men particularly, do not know the condition of our fellows," said the chairman. "They are not actually hard or neglectful, but they simply don't know. They are not ungrateful to the soldiers, but they do not know that some of our chaps are cracking up. I know the . city .has been combed, but, if the business men could be made to realise how we are placed, they would help quite a lot. If we can get over our difficulties this winter we may not want assistance again." Mr. Dawson declared the activities of t,he association were not appreciated, but if the public were made aware of the work it did to relieve distress and at the hospital, they would get right behind the movement.

The Publicity Committee was instructed to organise the appeal, which will be conducted by circular letters, supported by representations made by members of the executive and others intorested-in the movement.