CHRISTMAS SEAL

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 6, 8 January 1930, Page 10

CHRISTMAS SEAL

FINE SPIRIT EVOKED

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

In view of the fact that this is' the first occasion on which Christmas seals —combined postage and charity stamps —have been issued in New Zealand, the response, under all the circumstances, has been gratifying. It must be borne in mind that the movement is a new one here, although it has been in existence in other countries for some years. Experience has shown, as stated by the Minister of Health (Hon. A. J. Stallworthy) that the growth of the movement in other countries has been gradual, but most successful. For instance, in the State of Delaware, the first State to adopt the system in America, the first seal sale in 1907 netted only £600. The system spread, and last year the revenue derived from tho sale of the seal in America amounted to £1,300,000. In Canada the increase in the revenue has been similarly steady,and the advance has been regarded as most satisfactory. In those two countries tho Christmas seal is now regarded as a settled institution. In Prance, Italy, Spain, and other European countries, the system has proved successful.

It should be remembered that the countries mentioned have had the great advantage of the valuable assistance of national' tuberculosis associations, which have now become united in a world movement, and organisation— 7 the International Union against Tuberculosis, which meets periodically in Paris. Sir Eobert Philip, who is probably the most eminent authority today, and who has made the prevention and cure of tuberculosis his lifo work, is the British representative on the executive of the^ International Union.

Sir Eobert Philip says that the infant is seldom born tuberculous, and that infection is for tho most part contracted in childhood. Childhood is, then, the period to which our attention should be particularly directed. It is for this reason that it is proposed in the first instance to devote the fund derived from the Christmas seals to establishing health camps for children, which will be medically supervised; and such a regime, as haa been pointed out by medical authorities, works like a charm in converting the underu urished into robust, happy, alert children; and experience has also shown that children who have enjoyed the benefit of this treatment in nearly all cases begin tho journey of life with permanent physical well-being. Tho Christmas seal will be available for correspondence for some time yet; it will be remembered that the seals were not issued until the second week in last month.

The Postal Department is about to bring the stamps directly under the notice of business firms who use automatic franking machines for propaying the postage on their correspondence. The officers deputed to read and to collect postage due on account of the use of such machines will suggest to the business firms that they may, as in other countries, use charity stamps on part or all of their lotters; that is, for a time revert either partially or wholly to the use of postage stamps in order that charity stamps may appear on their correspondence. Business firms in Great Britain have adopted this system in regard to other appeals of a similar nature.

The Minister to-day expressed keen appreciation of the practical suggestions being made and the generous assistance offered by some business firms to further develop the success of tho salo of the special stamps in New Zealand during the next few weeks. Additional advertising methods would bo embarked upon within the next few days. Interest in the Children's Health Camp movement was being stimulated throughout New Zealand, and active steps were in oepration for somo camps this mouth.