R.S.A. AFFAIRS

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 January 1942, Page 2

R.S.A. AFFAIRS

POPPY DAY COLLECTIONS

WELLINGTON, January 23. Advice has been received by the Dominion Executive of the New Zealand Returned Services Association, that a suitable notification, exempting Poppy Day from the operation of the Patriotic Purposes Emergency Regulations will be gazeted shortly. When it became clear to the Dominion Executive that the sale of poppies, being for the collection of funds for the welfare of ex-service people, including those returned from the present war and their dependants, would contravene these regulations, it was decided to place the position before appropriate authorities. The advice now received is the outcome. The exemption will also apply to Rose Day. which has been conducted by the Wellington R.S.A. for some years. The la lest financial membership figures indicate that already over 1100 returned servicemen from the war have joined the association, which has now decided to extend the circulation of its literature in places overseas where New Zealanders are serving. The Dominion Executive at a recent meeting finalised preparations lor an interview with the Prime Minister and the Ministers of Finance, Defence and National Service, at an early date. Subjects to be discussed include war pensions, war veterans’ allowances, and defence matters, also the conscientious objectors and defaulters. The Dominion Executive has decided to request branches to cooperate In a scheme for collection of vegetable seeds for despatch to Britain. The Dominion headquarters is arranging through the New Zealand Government for tne handling and distribution of gift seeds on arrival in Britain.