COMFORTS FOR TROOPS GOING OVERSEAS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 69, 14 December 1939, Page 6

COMFORTS FOR TROOPS GOING OVERSEAS

Public Urged To Respond Generously

PATRIOTIC FUND BOARD ISSUES APPEAL The definite and urgent need of a generous response by the public to the appeal for the funds necessary to enable the National Patriotic Fund Board to provide the New Zealand troops going overseas with comforts was stressed by the secretary of the board, Mr. G. A. Hayden, yesterday. On the National Patriotic Fund Board, said Mr. Hayden, rested the responsibility of looking after the welfare overseas of the members of New Zealand’s Forces in the way of providing them with those comforts which made conditions more pleasant for them and which assisted materially in maintaining their morale. Though he realized that at Christmas time there were many aclls on the pockets of everyone, he felt sure that if the position were made known to the public they could be relied on, in the practical expression they would be giving to the spirit of Christmas, to remember the young wen who by enlisting for service were giving up so- much for their country. New Zealanders Overseas. “The number of New Zealanders already serving overseas is perhaps not generally realized,” said Mr. Hayden. “Already gifts have been dispatched for these men and also those serving on ships of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy. These have to be paid for. In addition, in view of the approaching departure of more men from this country, a large amount of money is required if the National Patriotic Fund Board is to provide for them in the way it desires to do and in accordance with the responsibility with which it is entrusted under the Patriotic Purposes Emergency Regulations. The money will be expended in providing comforts for these men on the troop-ships and to enable the Y.M.C.A. and other bodies to carry on the work overseas in the way they are doing in the camps in this country.” The Patriotic Seal campaign ivotild be starting today, said Mr. Hayden, and it was hoped that all householders and business firms, who would receive their seals through the post, would not only co-operate generously but would, do so without delay. In addition to the remission of contributions to the office of the National Patritic Fund Board in AVellington, provision was made for money to be paid to any branch office of the Bank of New Zealand to the credit of the National Patriotic Fund. Funds Required. Some indication of the amounts that are required to provide reasonable comfort for the troops leaving New Zealand, is to be gained from an estimate that at least £20,000 is needed Avithin the next fortnight or so. In making known the urgent need for funds, Mr. Hayden said' he hoped that people throughout file country would rise to the occasion, as they had done so admirably many times in the past, and give all they could for the benfit of those who had given up a great deal for them in the fight to preserve those principles which New Zealanders, in common with the peoples of other parts of the British Empire, held dear.