GIFTS FOR TROOPS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 157, 29 March 1941, Page 13

GIFTS FOR TROOPS

Co-operation Of Maori People The co-operation o£ the Maori people with the National Patriotic Fund Board in the dispatch of gift parcels to the New Zealand forces as well as the fine spirit of camaraderie existing between the Maori and pakeha members of the troops from this Dominion overseas are exemplified in a letter written by one of the men, a pakeha, to a Maori resident of Rotorua. Mrs. Fraser, wife of the Prime Minister, saw the letter recently, and because of the sentiments expressed in it forwarded a copy to the secretary of the National Patriotic Fund Board. “Just a note to give you my heartfelt thanks for The wonderful parcel I have just received from the Patriotic Society—actually from the Maori Women’s Health League,” the letter begins. “Unfortunately for your wishes, I am not a 1 Maori, just a common old pakeha. But really I was absolutely hmazed at the contents of the parcel; It showed great thought and kindness tn the selections of go-ids enclosed.” The writer adds that, though there” Is not a Maori in his company, he has many Maori friends among the members of the N.Z.E.F., and that both Maoris and pakehas get on very well together, as they should. “Where I come from,” the letter continues, “there really aren’t a lot of your people, but the few I do know T number among my real friends. . . Please believe how really grateful 1 am, and if some of your people could drop me a line and send me'a few snaps of Rotorua, where, strangely enough, I’ve never been, I should be most grateful. In the meantime. please believe me your most grateful and sincere friend.”