CHRISTMAS GIFTS TO SOLDIERS

Evening Star, Issue 23729, 9 November 1940, Page 15

CHRISTMAS GIFTS TO SOLDIERS

BIG HAMPER FOR H.M.S. LEANDER [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, November 9. On behalf of the people of New Zealand, the National Patriotic Fund Hoard has made arrangements to issue to eacli New Zealand soldier in the Middle East a set of six letter cards. These cards have been specially designed in New Zealand to convoy greetings from Now Zealand soldiers to their relatives and friends. Each one in the set is different. They strike a humorous note and are embellished with drawings of New Zealand soldiers, pyramids, camels, and other features associated with Egypt. ' When ho spoke at Auckland on Wednesday night Mr Nash made special reference to the work of H.M.S. Leander, one of the ships of the New Zealand naval station, the Minister remarking that when the story was told the people of the Dominion would be just as proud of the Leander as they were of the Achilles.

This tribute will add to the satisfaction that will bo felt by thp announcement this afternoon by the office of the National Patriotic Fund Board that the personnel of the ship has not been overlooked in the provision made to supply all members of our fighting forces with gifts from this country at Christmas. The records show that a rather special consignment of goods was packed for. the Leander. This comprised 180 copies of Christmas annuals, 50 dozen of the Penguin series of books, as well as 510 other hooks and 1,000 periodicals, a large quantity of writing pads and envelopes, cases of assorted jams, tins of sheep tongues, tins of condensed milk, a large assortment of tinned fruits (including apples. apricots, plums, peaches, pears, and gooseberries) and tinned carrots, French beans, and parsnips. Also in the consignment were 20,100 cigarettes.