SALE OF HEALTH STAMPS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21582, 19 September 1935, Page 19

SALE OF HEALTH STAMPS

MEETING AT NEW BRIGHTON

A largely-attended meeting of residents of New Brighton interested in the health stamp campaign was held in the Oasis Hall last evening, with the Mayor (Mr E. L. Smith) presiding. Twelve organisations of the borough were represented. The chairman said that the meeting had been called at the request of the Government to promote the sale of health stamps. Already, several children from New Brighton had been sent to health camps, and by helping with the sale of the stamps, residents were helping the borough. Dr. H. E. W. Roberton, of Christchurch, outlined the work done in the health camps held each year by the Sunlight League. He said that the health camp scheme had begun 60 years ago at Manchester, England, but nothing had been done in this direction in New Zealand until 16 years ago, when Dr. Elizabeth Gunn started a camp in Turakina in the North Island. The Sunlight League had started health camps in Canterbury four years ago, and from a small beginning in 1931, when the capital of the league for this purpose was only £2, and when four small girls were taken to Geraldine, successful camps had been held each year. Last year two camps had been held, one at Okain's Bay, and the other at Pigeon Bay, 48 children attending. In 1932, the Government had conceived the idea of selling health stamps to assist in raising funds for these camps, and by this means, many more children had been able to attend, said Dr. Roberton. The Sunlight League had been able to conduct the camps more cheaply in Canterbury than in any other part of New Zealand because of the practical help and sympathy of the people. This year it was hoped to raise the sum of £IO,OOO in New Zealand. The scheme was an ambitious one, but to send all the children in need of the benefits of the health camps away, a large sum was necessary.

Dr. Roberton was accorded a vote of thanks for his address, and it was decided to elect a committee separate from the Christchurch organisation to promote the sale of health stamps in New Brighton. The Mayor said that the council had set aside a day for, a street collection for the campaign, and had also granted a sum of money for the purchase of the stamps. The following officers were elected: Patrons, the Mayor and Dr. W. T. Glasgow; chairman, Mr G. Duncombe: vice-president, Mrs N. McGillivray; committee, Mesdames McGilJivray and H. A. Bishop, Messrs Duncombe, P. Woodward, E. J. Hill, and Florance (two more members, to be elected); secretary, Mr H. Ardern; treasurer, Mr A. Watson.