C.O.R.S.O. Gifts Treble

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31077, 4 June 1966, Page 3

C.O.R.S.O. Gifts Treble

"The Press” Special Service WELLINGTON, ■ June 3.

New Zealanders have given £102,000 to Corso so far this year—three times the amount contributed in the same period last year.

The Indian famine appeal had realised £71,781 —50 per cent above the target set by

the organisation in February, the national secretary, the Rev. H. C. Dixon, said at the annual meeting. Shipments of milk powder had been doubled, he said. The general appeal for C.0.R.5.0. had amounted to £26,802 and so far Operation 21 had realised £3989.

Mr Dixon said these figures Indicated that after the main collection on June 18 the organisation would be able to meet its budget of £400,000 for C.0.R.5.0. and Freedom from Hunger Campaign projects during the year. Mr R. Thurlow Thompson, of C.0.R.5.0. headquarters, said the figures were spectacular even when the great response to the famine fund was considered. “There is a limit to the duration of Operation 21, but there can be no limit to the extent of a movement that has so involved young persons in activities devoted to improving the living standards of

their less fortunate counterparts in other countries.” Mr Thompson said.

There appeared to be a new pattern to giving, he said. The big budget of £400,000 was possibly only because the public realised that the days of giving in terms of a “drop in the bucket” were over and that a country with New Zealand's standards and potential for leadership must support these projects on a large scale.

Mr Dixon’s report said that last year the organisation raised its largest sum ever—£3sl,slB. A total of £241,252 was sent overseas in grants and £121,173 was held in grants. By the end of the year £lOO,OOO of the latter had been paid out. Clothing collected throughout the country was sent out in 133 shipments.

Milk powder worth £12,447 was sent to many parts of the world.