FLAGS FOR ALL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20184, 29 February 1940, Page 4

FLAGS FOR ALL

TO-MORROW’S SALES PATRIOTIC DONATIONS CONTROL PURELY LOCAL FULL DISTRICT CANVASS In view of the fact that the funds raised are to be used exclusively for the benefit of Gisborne and East Coast men serving with His Majesty’s forces, the expectation of a bumper response to the East Coast Provincial Patriotic Council’s flag-day appeal, to be made to-morrow, seems to be fully justified. Poverty Bay residents have never failed to give hearty support to a good cause, and to-morrow’s effort should have an especially generous acceptance. Throughout the town and suburbs, and in the various country areas, flag emblems will be offered at a unit price of Is each, and with the number of volunteer sellers now available, there is a prospect of reaching almost every individual resident of the district. The committee which undertook the organisation of the appeal is confident that no one will refuse to contribute. There is one point on which the assurance of the committee may be offered to the public. That is in regard to the control of the funds raised by this effort. Despite repeated assurances, there still appears to be an impression in the minds of many people that funds raised by local and national efforts for patriotic purposes will be subject to Government control. That impression is completely unfounded. Returned Soldiers’ Co-operation If further assurance on the point were needed, it can be supplied by the Gisborne Returned Soldiers’ Association, which was among the first organisations in New Zealand to raise its voice against any possibility of Government interference with a matter lying so close to the hearts of the people, and so completely divorced from, politics. The association has satisfied itself beyond question that, political control of patriotic funds is neither sought nor intended. Collection and disbursement of funds for the benefit of men and women in His Majesty’s forces has been placed in the hands of composite boards and committees, and the Government has specifically pledged itself to limit its interest to the bare extent of insuring that moneys intended for patriotic purposes must be spent for patriotic purposes. On the strength of these assurances, the Returned Soldiers’ Association has placed its well-established Poppy Day appeal organisation at the disposal of the Provincial Patriotic Council, for to-morrow’s djstrict effort. Mr. W. Oakden, who for several years has been a leading member of the organisation, will have charge of tomorrow’s canvass, and will direct the work of the large volunteer sales staff. Mr. A. H. Miller, secretary of the Gisborne Returned Soldiers’ Association' will. co-operate with him, and members of the executive of the association also will give personal assistance in carrying the flag-day appeal to its logical conclusion —an outstanding success. Motorists Invited to Assist Other organisations have promised to provide their quotas of volunteer sellers, and there should be no difficulty in arranging for both the street sales and the house-to-house canvass contemplated by the committee. A complete house-to-house canvass has been one of the Poppy Day objectives for years: and one which it has not yet been possible to achieve owing to a shortage of sellers. Headquarters for the day will be established in Lunken’s buildings. Gladstone road, near the Herald, and sellers are asked to report there for supplies and for instructions. The committee would appreciate keenly the assistance of motorists who are willing to transport sellers to the suburban areas, and volunteer drivers are asked to report at the deoot. The services required of them will not call for more than a few minutes’ use of their cars at any time. District residents who wish to make contributions over and above the standard price of the emblems may also bring or send them to the depot, where acknowledgement will be made by Mr. Oakden. It is exDectcd that contributions made in this way will add considerably to the proceeds o r the appeal.