CHRISTMAS SEAL

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 51, 1 March 1930, Page 11

CHRISTMAS SEAL

HEALTH CAMPS

TO FIGHT TUBERCULOSIS

SUCCESS OF SCHEME

Since the needs of children must always evoke in any civilised community a generous response, it is certain that were we in New Zealand to adopt the Christmas Seal ample funds would be available for the- establishment of many health camps in Now Zealand.—"Evening Post," 2nd November, 1927.

In 1927 a proposal was made in the "Evening Post" that the Government should adopt a system of issuing during November and December of each year what are known as Christmas Seals or charity stamps, the revenue from which would be devoted to some deserving national object. The system has be.en'in operation for some years past in Canada, the United States, and in a number of European countries, and its success has been remarkable. The funds are applied in most countries to the campaign: against tuberculosis. The issue of the Christmas Seal is now looked upon in most countries as a national event.

The Minister of Health, appreciating the educative value as well as the financial possibilities of the scheme, sponsored its adoption in New Zealand. With the approval of the Government, and the hearty endorsement of the Department of Health, the Postal authorities brought tho Christmas Seal or eharitv stamp system into operation on 11th November, and the sale of the stamps ceased yesterday. In order to be available for tho English mail, tho stamps should be procurable in the first week in November, but through an unavoidable delay in the printing of_ the stamps .this year they were not issued until the second week in December, it may be as well to explain that the word "charity" used in the name charity stamps is taken from the Scriptural meaning of the word—"Faith Hope, and Charity; the greatest of these is Charity"—love or goodwill. It is gratifying to be able to announce that the response of the public to the appeal has been most satisfactory The success of the movement, which is based on the sentiment of Christmas g°°d^V has' been mainly owing to the cordial .co-operation of the Health and Postal Departments—the latter, or. course, being able, through its many hundreds of post offices, to make the Stamp and its Object widely known. The Minister of Health _ to-day expressed his keen appreciation of the generous co-operation of the New Zealand Press in connection with the inauguration of the scheme. VALUE OF HEALTH CAMPS. The New Zealand Department of Health has for some years past made a ■special effort to safeguard . ill-nour-. ished 'and debilitated children, especially those who are contacts of cases of tuberculosis in their homes. For a large group of these children, their main hope lies in removal from their ■present environment for a time at least The results of health camps have'amply demonstrated what can be done by a simple regime, permitting adequate rest, fresh air, sunshine, and proper feeding. The'special Medical Committee appointed in 1928 to report on tho ' Prevention and Treatment:of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in New Zealand" m its report stated: "The health, camp systemihas given very satisfactory results. It is only in a small way at present, but it should be extended to all parts of New Zealand. It is not an extensive measures yet; funds are lacking. This scheme deserves strong support by voluntary-aid .associations. lime and money would be saved if fixed health camps were • established. At present a fresh start has to be made each year,-and unnecessary difficulties are found in obtaining sites, in arranging for stores, and in organising the camps." , „ The fund available from the sale of tho Christmas seal will enable effect to be given to this recommendation of ■ the Medical Committee, and the first permanent children's health camp should' bo established and •in operation by next summer.