HOSPITAL SHIPS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15699, 19 September 1916, Page 6

HOSPITAL SHIPS.

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR THE

CREWS.

THE GOVERNOR'S APPEAL.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TZVEGtUX.)

WELLINGTON, September 1.. The following is sent at the special request of his Excellency the Governor: —

There arc somo 1100 officers and men of tho mercantile marine who are employed in hospital ships which convey our New Zealand soldiers from and to our shores, and it has struck mo that while we are making arrangements to send some gifts of remembrance to our men at Christmas, wo ought to bear these sailors in our thoughts.

There is no need on my part to state how arduous are the duties imposed on them, and while not desiring to make a general appeal, I make this suggestion, that if anyone would somo gift sent to these men at Christmas, they should scud mo 2s 6d for this purpose between this date and September. 30th, and I will send a personal acknow-., ledgmont of all Buch contributions. It is obviously, more convenient to send money than gifts in kind, principally because, as everyone knows, the ships arc scattered over "a very wide area. I proposo to divide the money thus collected among all the ships in proportion to the numbers of the crews, sending it to the master to apportion U» such a way that tho men will get some recognition from tho Dominion.