WESTMINSTER ABBEY

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27037, 12 May 1953, Page 10

WESTMINSTER ABBEY

SUPPORT FOR APPEAL FOR FUNDS

MR HOLLAND AND MR NASH ISSUE STATEMENT

(New Zealand Preet Association) WELLINGTON, May 11.

On the eve of their departure for Britain the Prime Minister (Mr Holland) and the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash) issued today a statement giving their support to the Westminster Abbey appeal, recently launched by Sir Winston Churchill. “The purpose of the appeal is to raise £1,000,000 from people in Britain and the Commonwealth to save the abbey from decay,” the statement read. “At this time, when the thoughts of New Zealanders-are turned to the abbey in which the Queen is to be crowned, we feel that this appeal will be willingly supported. We feel, too, that all would wish to contribute in some measure according to their means. “Westminster Abbey is in every sense of the.term a national shrine of the British people wherever they live throughout the world and whatever may be their religious faith. It is with full confidence that we commend this appeal to churchmen of all denominations, and request them to collaborate with those who will be responsible for its organisation.” It had been felt that the appeal could best be launched through the Mayors and chairmen of local bodies throughout New Zealand, Mr Holland said, and accordingly he was arranging for an official communication to be made to them.