Gift of whisky sent to Falklands

Press, 5 June 1982, Page 2

Gift of whisky sent to Falklands

PA Wellington Twenty-eight cases of New Zealand whisky are being sent as gifts to British servicemen in the Falkland Islands. The gifts were announced by the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon), who said they were the result of the generosity of an Auckland businessman. Mr George Pearson and Mrs Pearson sent Mr Muldoon a cheque for $lOOO and said they wanted some distinctive New Zealand •'comforts” made available to the servicemen. Mr Pearson also said in a letter, “We are proud of the offer of our frigate Canterbury to the United Kingdom Government.” Mr Muldoon said: “We spoke to Seagrams (New Zealand), Ltd. It has kindly made available a consignment of 28 cases, 336 bottles, of Dunbar whisky, distilled in Dunedin." The shipment left for Britain ’ yesterday and the Ministry of Defence in London has arranged to send it to the Falklands., Mr Muldoon said: “This fine gesture by Mr Pearson and his wife represents to me the .views of many New ' Zealanders who admire the spirit of British servicemen in a difficult climate." The British High Commission in Wellington has had several inquiries about donations to the South Atlantic Fund, which has been set up for British Falkland Islands task force members and their dependants. Established benevolent funds already exist in Britain for the support of servicemen and women and their dependants, but money given through them can be used only for the benefit of specified servicemen and women. Donations, specifying the fund for which they are intended, can be made to the British High Commissioner, P.O. Box 1812, Wellington, or . to the British Consul-Gen-eral, Private Bag. Auckland.