The Feilding Star. Oroua and Kiwitea Counties' Gazette MONDAY, MAY 1, 1922. POPPIES AND PATRIOTISM.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 4577, 1 May 1922, Page 2

The Feilding Star. Oroua and Kiwitea Counties' Gazette MONDAY, MAY 1, 1922. POPPIES AND PATRIOTISM.

We confess to a fellow feeling with the U.S.A. men's mothers of Auckland in their protest against the importation of 'poppies for remembrance from a foreign country. "Why import from Belgium or France what can be made in New Zealand, and why divide the money so secured with the people of another nation when we need every shilling for the helping of our own men? It is essentially a case wherein charily should begin at home. Of course, we have had to pay for the idea. But, having got the idea, there is no reason why there should be such another extravagance on future Anzac Days. New Zealand cash for New Zealand soldiers should be the future policy of the R.S.A. executive for Poppy Day. It has also been brought under our notice that the members of the R.S.A. of Feilding have been criticising the local Patriotic Society ia so far as it has handled the funds used for. the relief of wounded soldiers. The R.S.A. thinks that it should have a "say" in the management of the Socioty and its funds. As a matter of fact, it always has had a direct say. It has had its own delegates on the Society's executive. It has been the fault of the R.S.A. if tho delegates have not always been at the meetings and each delegate ha* not been a live enough wire to keep the interests of the men before tho Society. The latter has always been only too willing to keep in the closest touch with the R.S.A., and has had nothing but the interests of the returned men at heart. Even at this late hour we feel sure the R.S.A. will be welcomed at the Society's board.