ANZAC RELIEF FUND

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 182, 30 April 1941, Page 9

ANZAC RELIEF FUND

Work Of Organization In

New York

SIXTY-FIVE AMBULANCES

In reply to a cable sent by his Ex cellency the Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall, to the Anzac War Relief Fund, New York, expressing thanks for its gift of ambulances and mobile canteens to the New Zealand forces, the following letter from Mr. A. McLean, chairman of the, organization, bps been received and indicates the valuable help being rendered by that organization. “Two weeks ago,” states the letter, whiclf was written on March 31, “we shipped four of the so-called ‘lndian type’ ambulances, built specially to specifications se.pt us by air from Australia, to the New Zealand Patriotic Fund Gift Commissioner in the Middle East. Next week we are sendng five to Wellington, New Zealand, and seven more to the Middle East. The remaining four, making 20 in all, will be shipped about the middle of May, at which time we hope that the entire gift of 65 ambulances to the Australians and New Zealanders will have been completed and shipped. “Next week we are shipping one half million cigarettes to the Anzacs in the Middle East and 120,000 to the Anzacs in England.” Anzacs’ Reputation.

Mention is made of the reputation the Anzacs enjoy in the United States. “The New Zealand-Australian troops,” the letter continues, “have had great publicity in the papers and magazines in this country, and it is not an exaggeration to say that they perhaps stand higher in the affection of the people in this country than almost any other people. This sympathy for the Anzacs extends from the Administration in Washington right down through most people in the country, and this is well evidenced by the present-visit of the American fleet to the Antipodes.” After referring to plans for the celebration of Anzac Day in New York City by the New Zealand and Australian Societies of New York, the members of which largely comprise the membership of the Anzac War Relief Fund, the’letter states: “Please, convey to -the officers and men in the New Zealand Forces our pride in and our admiration of their achievements, and tell them we take much pleasure in doing our bit in sending various needs that have gone forward from us for their comfort and happiness.” The cigarettes from the Fund will be easily identified, for on each packet will be a printed paper sticker bear ihg the words: “Donated with best wishes from'American friends of the Anzacs through the Anzac War Relief Fund, New York.” Nine Months’ Work.

A report covering the first nine months’ activities of the organization has also been received by the National Patriotic Fund Board. The Anzac Waf Relief Fund was organized in May; 1940, and works -in co-operation, through , representatives in Melbourne and’Wellington, with, the patriotic organizations of. Australia and New Zealand. -It has done magnificently already. . In its .first nine months the total value of money and goods con tributes' by or • through the fund amounted to .approximately 180,000 dollars. ' “This remarkable achievement,” the report states, "has been possible billy by the untiring efforts of a small group of the executive committee, the continued generosity of our members and their friends, and by substantial contributions from the Bri-tish-American Ambulance Corps and the British Waf Relief Society.” ■ Included in the list of executive officers of the organization are people whose names are well known, in this part of the world, such as Sir Hubert Wilkins, Mr. Percy Grainger, Miss Nola Luxford, Miss Aerie Oberon, Snowy Baker, Errol Flynn, and Clement May. Honorary patrons are the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. Menzies, and the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr. Fraser.

Close Tics of Friendship. The report concludes by referring to the drawing together still closer or the bonds between the people of the United States and those of the. British Commonwealth. "We wish to take this opportunity,” states the concluding paragraph of the report, “of again thanking .all those who have contributed to the fund. We know that every Australian, every New Zealander, and every American friend of those countries -will continue to donate time and money to the utmost of their ability. The spirit of friendship and sympathy that makes these gifts possible far transcends their monetary value. It not only greatly strengthens the bonds between the people of -this country and those ‘Down Under,’ but like the strong bandclasp one friend, gives to, another, it conveys encouragement and support when those things are' most needed and appreciated.” ' '