"FLAG DAY”

Evening Star, Issue 23496, 9 February 1940, Page 6

"FLAG DAY”

PATRIOTIC COUNCIL'S FIRST APPEAL DONATIONS COMING FORWARD WELL PORT CHALMERS RAISES £4O Though iif 'is earty : 'i& euage the extent of the responsei to the appeal by the Otago Patriotic Council for funds to supply amenities for the troops overseas, as far as was known this morning donations were commg forward quite satisfactorily. This initial appeal, taking the form of a flag day in the city and suburbs, was for as worthy a cause as any to which citizens have been asked to contribute for some time.. The flag day effort at Port Chalmers yesterday resulted in the collection of over £4O. A street stall was responsible for £l4 14s Bd. A band of lady collectors was kept busy, the largest individual collection for sal© of nagsamounting to £4 7s 6d. On Tuesday evening next a public meeting will bo held to form a Patriotic Committee, With a realisation of the debt the general public owes to those who have Followed the colours to fight for home and Empire, the donations were coming forward freely this morning. Collectors braved the uninviting elements to do their part towards providing funds for the soldiers’ comforts, and their willingness njay he taken as.typical of the attitude of the public towards the fund. .... , ... The result of this initial appeal will mean a lot to those troops overseas. The Patriotic Council has a great deal to do with its funds, its principal desire being to provide many of those things that are outside the Army issue, but will mean much to the men. Large quantities of materials have to be purchased to provide socks, gloves, and other articles of clothing necessary, while sets of instruments are needed to equip, the bands to accompany the troops to the various camps. Sporting and recreational equipment wul also occupy a prominent place among those things desired to he issued to troops, while certain amenities are desired for troopships. Conducted on behalf of the Patriotic Council by the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association, the appeal has been directed towards raising funds so that the council may do its share toward* making the lot of the soldier as happy as possible, and, as heavy expenditure will be necessitated, the council will look to the funds gained from the appeal to defray as much as possible of this.