GIFT OF £50,000

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21414, 5 March 1935, Page 10

GIFT OF £50,000

❖ Crippled Children Of New Zealand LORD NUFFIELD'S GENEROSITY ANNOUNCEMENT AT WELLINGTON [THE PRESS Special Service] WELLINGTON, March 4. A gift of £50,000 for the crippled children of New Zealand .vas announced by Lord Nuffield, the famous liriti:... motor magnate and philanthropist, during, the dinner gr.x,i 'n his honour at the Hotel St. George by Mr C. J. B. Norwood. Lord Nufficld's gift came as a complete surprise to the 100 guests, who included five Cabinet Ministers and leaders in the professional and commercial life of Wellington, and others from distant parts of the country.

Lord Nuffield made his oiler in simple, almost embarrassed terms and was, visibly overcome by the burst of cheers which greeted his magnanimous gift. "Before I leave New Zealand," said Lord Nuffield in his response to a toast in his honour, "I want to help the crippled children of your country in some similar way to that in which I have had the privilege of doing in England. I think the best way to help any nation or Dominion is to think of the crippled children. When I think of them I thank God that I was not born a cripple myself. I therefore have the greatest pleasure in the world to leave with Mr Norwood £50,1)00 to help the crippled children of New Zealand." For a moment there wa; silence among the guests. Then as the magnitude and generosity of the gilt was understood there followed a sustained burst of cheering that overwhelmed the guest. A few moments elapsed before he was allowed to go on. Lord Nuffield, mentioning references by earlier speakers to his gifts for suffering people, deprecated anything lie had done in this way. "The speakers to-night have been far too kind in their remarks," he said. "What I have been able to do for humanity has been a pleasure to me. Therefore I have reaped that benefit mvsclf. I want you to realise that."' The Minister for Finance, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, expressed thanks on behalf of the Government. "I cannot thank you enough for your generous gift." said Mr ('nates. "Hundreds of crippled children throughout this country will bless you for all their lives."