FUNDS FOR THE SOLDIERS

Evening Star, Issue 23448, 13 December 1939, Page 8

FUNDS FOR THE SOLDIERS

FIRST MOVE FROM NATIONAL COUNCIL THE SEAL APPEAL Following is the text of a broadcast speech delivered last night from Wellington by Mr E. H. Nimmo, deputychairman of the National Patriotic Council;— \Ve hear it said, all to frequently, that New Zealanders apparently do not realise that we are at war, and that we, as part of the Empire, are engaged in a grim struggle for the maintenance of our freedom—for the emancipation of oppressed peoples and for international justice. Just a few weeks ago a photograph appeared in our daily newspapers of Flying-officer Mack, of Wellington, now interned in Belgium. Interned in a neutral country, he will naturally be able to secure whatever clothing he desires and whatever comforts are necessary, but have you given a thought to those of our men who have come down in Germany? They will only have the clothes in which they fly. We have all been thrilled with pride to read of the intrepid attacks of pur airmen. We New Zealanders are naturally proud to know that prior to the wartime expansion, one in every 12 pilots in the Royal Air Force was a New Zealander, and when we think for a moment of the epic fljghts of Flying-offi-cer Kain, of the raids on Heligoland, Kiel, over Berlin itself, we are naturally proud to think of the great part played by our New Zealand airmen in such brave and daring adventures. Unfortunately, some are now wounded, and some, also, are ,prisoners of war. “ The officers and men of the Royal Navy are facing danger 24 hours every day in order to keep our trade routes open, and associated with them are many of New Zealand's sons. As we all know our own defence forces are intensively training for overseas service, and it is now only a question of days when they will receive their final leave prior to embarkation overseas. “ The declared policy announced Jby Germany the other day, put tersely, means that their objective is the complete destruction of the British Empire. I would ask you, listeners, to pause for a moment and to think of Poland, Austria. Czecho-Slovakia. You know something of the horrors that have been experienced by the people in these countries, and which are still happening. This is what the British Empire is determined to bring to an end by, defeating the forces of Nazism and by ridding the world of the ideology of Hitlerism. It is with such a challenge ringing in our ears that our soldiers will soon he leaving our shores to play their part manfully in the fight for libefty against the evil forces which threaten to overthrow everything that is worth living for. The sacrifice of our young manhood places a grave _ responsibility_ on all of us who remain in this Dominion, and as true Britishers we do recognise that the very least that we can do is to emulate, as far as possible, the glbrious example of self-sacrifice our meb in the King’s uniform are making; they are willingly sacrificing everything —yes, if necessary, life,_ in our defence. Having this in mind, it is;with absolute confidence that the National Patri-' otic Board appeal to you to give tangible expression to your natural appreciation. “I would ask you to ponder for a moment on the magnitude of the obligations placed upon us by the service of our armed forces. In the comparative tranquillity and peace of New Zealand we are fortunate in being far from the dreaded privations of war. Wo do not scan the skies looking for raiders. No sirens disturb our peace. The nearest we get to war conditions is to see our soldiers in our midst in uniform; to listen to the broadcasts from Daventry; to read our newspapers: to lobk with sympathy and horror on the photo, graphs that are published from the theatre'of war.

“ The National Patriotic Fund Board has three jobs; two are protective in nature—it is charged with a duty of protecting your generosity, and it is entrusted with the task of protecting your gifts; the third duty is that of sending those gifts which are essential and helpful ,to the men now serving in the various camps in New Zealand.

“ ‘ For King and Empire ' is not a hackneyed phrase; it is a vita! dynamic challenge. You believe in this cause. We know that our appeal to you for help will not be in vain, and that you are anxious to do your part. Let me explain how yoti can do your port. In the course of the next day or so you will receive a letter from His Excellency the Governor-General. Viscount Galway, as chairman of the National Fund Board. To all householders the letter will contain 30 seals valued at 2s 6d. To business houses the letter will contain 120 seals portraying the units of our armed forces. The request is made by His Excellency that you purchase these seals for 10s, and should you desire a further supply of seals use the order form which is attached to the letter. It is a simple way of co-ordinating your desire to play your part. We ask for a generous and ready response.

“ In both instances the amount may he increased, according to your desire and your ability to give. The main thing is that you do give,- and give quickly. Post your donations as directed in the letter by December 22 at the very latest. “ This national patriotic seal appeal lias been made possible by the cooperative effort of business people, who have given freely to make the letter and seals available. Voluntary helpers have given splendid service in folding the letters, preparing the seal appeal for mailing. In addition to this, the broadcasting service and the newspaper services are giving gratuitous time and space to assist us. In every sense of the word it is a community effort, and under the leadership of His Majesty’s representative, Viscount Galway, we feel that your whole-hearted response will ensure the Success of this great effort on the part of the National Patriotic Board, and will express the gratitude Of the peoples of this Dominion to their armed forces. “ In closing, may I say that any person who voices the opinion that the National Patriotic Fund is under the control of the Government is not stating the position correctly, _ and is thereby rendering a grave dis-semce not only to the large body of publicspirited citizens working and sponsoring this cause, but also to our men, who so urgently are in need of amenities and comforts. Moreover, it is a very unjust reflection on the Government itself, which took such pains in devising the scheme and drafting the regulations to set up the National bund Board and the provincial patriotic councils as completely autonomous bodies vested with the sole control over the collection and expenditure of then;

respective funds. It must be obvious to all of you that it is not onty a privilege, but our deaf duty to provide these freely without delay. Therefore. let vour response be generous. Give to tke utmost of your ability, and, finally, I thank you for the help you will render to those who are doing so much for New Zealandand for the British Empire.’^