OVER THE TASMAN

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 44, 30 August 1928, Page 14

OVER THE TASMAN

THE COMING FLIGHT HELP FOR HOSPITALS FLAG SALE FOft BEDS In connection wi,th the approaching trans-Tasman air flight under, the leadership of Captain Kingsford Smith, the Prime Minister (tho Right Hon. J. G. Coates) has received a communication from tho directors of the Sydney Hospital stating that the airmen have complied with the request of the directors to carry in tho Southern Cross on tho occasion of ■ the Australian-New Zealand .flight four silken flags artistically made —one Union Jack, one New Zealand flag, one Eoyal Air Force flag, and one Australian- flag, all bearing signatures of Squadron' Leader Kingsford Smith, A.F.C., and Plight-Lieuten-ant Ulm, with a certificate of authenticity from the secretary of the Sydney Hospital. The flags and official messages of goodwill will be enclosed in a specially prepared package- addressed to His Excellency the Gov-ernor-General. DIVISION OF PROCEEDS. ' The co-operation of the hospital and civic authorities and the general public, on behalf of tho principal hospitals at Wellington, Auckland, Cltristchurch, and Dunedin is requested in selling tho flags to the best possible advantage, one flag for each hospital, tho money so raised for each flag to be divided as follows: —50 per cent, to be aloeated to each of the New Zealand hospitals, and GO per cent, to the Sydney Hospital. Bour other flags will be posted back immediately after the flight, addressed to the caro of. tho Governor of New South Wales, for the Sydney' Hospital. These four flags will bo softl in Sydney and tho money so raised will also be divided in the same manner as the first-mentioned four. Offers for .these flags will be accepted from all parts of the Commonwealth, and the sale conducted by an influential committee. By this means full reciprocity will be maintained between New Zealand and New South AVales in this movement. Sydney Hospital has intimated that it is providing the flags free of cost to the New Zealand hospitals, and it is hoped, that the proposal will result in a substantial sum being raised for the benefit of the hospitals concerned. The directors of tho Sydney Hospital express tho hope that if the matter is taken up enthusiastically sufficient money may be raised to endow a bed in perpetuity in tho five hospitals, to be known as the "Southern Cross Bed," thus rendering a permanent service to tho citizens. Referring to the proposal, Mr. Coates said that an intimation had been sent to the authorities «pf the Sydney Hospital that the New Zealand Government would be pleased to co-operate in tho manner suggested, and that in view of tho probable early commencement of the flight action was being taken to give- publicity to and secure public enthusiasm for tho proposal. COMMENDED BY MR. COATES. "I am sure," said the Prime Minister, '' that j the proposal will meet with a very 'enthusiastic and practical response as far as New Zealand is concerned. It will afford a unique opportunity to secure these flags as mementoes of the first air flight over the Tasman Sea, and tho completion. of the- air chain from Great Britain to New Zealand. Apart from the historical importance of the occasion there is the humanitarian object, which is deservedly worthy of practical support. I desiro to commend the proposal of the Sydney Hospital directors to all our citizen-, and especially to the hospital boards in the four centres more particularly concerned." .