POPPY DAY RELIEF.

Evening Star, Issue 21715, 9 May 1934, Page 11

POPPY DAY RELIEF.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Once more Anzac Day has passed, refreshing our memories of many noble-spirited and geueroushenrled men, some of whom arc no longer here to speak for themselves. A neat amount is realised annually from the sale of poppies, and it is understood that this is used as a means of assisting needy eases. While this letter is by no means intended as an attack on the executive of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, or any other body, elucidation on the following points would be appreciated:—(l) Exactly what measures arc adopted in determining whether or not an applicant for Poppy Day relief is a necessitous case? (2) Is any of the money devoted to assistance of disabled men in Montceillo Home or to maintenance of the home? (3) If an unfinancial member or a returned soldier not a member of the Returned Soldiers’ Association applied for assistance, would it be granted? I feel and know that those who have passed on would not approve of indiscriminate issue of Poppy Day relief, and it behoves us to keep faith with them by seeing that money collected on their account is administered wisely.—l am, etc.. In Mbmoriam. May 9. . [ Necessitous cases of sickness, are investigated by a lady, and measures of

relief undertaken. The Montecillo Home is maintained by Red Cross funds. The Returned Soldiers’ Association docs not assist these cases, but grants are made to needy individuals by the Otago Patriotic _ Society, should they not be in receipt of a war disability pension. Each year the R,.S ; A. gives a Christmas present, consisting of tobacco, to each inmate in the home. The association does not differentiate. Last year each married man on No. 5 scheme received a Christmas parcel to the value of £l. Of the 663 men who were assisted in this way 60 per cent, were non-members. Should our correspondent desire further information. he is advised to call at the office of the A; copy of the last annual report would give the ansewer to many of his question.—Ed., E.S.]