COAST CAMPAIGN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22619, 23 April 1948, Page 3

COAST CAMPAIGN

PARCELS FOR BRITAIN YEAR’S WORK REVIEWED (Herald Correspondent.) This week the Rev. W. Bird addressed a large audience in Ruatoria on the East Coast food-for-Britain campaign. The meeting was sponsored by the Ruatoria Chamber of Commerce and was presided over by Mr. J. H. Taplin. A comprehensive review of all the activities since the inception of the High Commissioner’s scheme for bulk supplies of food to the Mother Country in May, 1947, was given by Mr. Bird. It was not until July of last year 'that food parcels were first sent from the East Coast, but since then nearly 600 cases of food, valued at £2113 and representing 4226 parcels in bulk supply, had been dispatched to England, said Mr. Bird. All of the food had been consigned to the Ministry of Food, but the parcels were distributed in the Royal boroughs of South Kensington, Kensington, Northumberland and Durham, where the food has been received with pleasure and gratitude. This food had been distributed free and was an addition to the meagre rations. Dealing with the internal affairs of the East Coast organisation, the speaker said he understood it was the largest in the Dominion. However it was not the only organisation on the East Coast sending parcels to Britain. Many were also dispatched privately. Generous support had been given to the appeal for donations and subscriptions and £2606 had ben collected since the scheme began a year ago. The sum of £3O also had been received from wholesale merchants as a special discount. Of this sum, £l4 10s was spent on advertising and labels. “The chairman, secretary and members of the committees set up in the Coast centres have done marvellous work,” continued Mr. Bird. Mr. W. L. Wheeler had also given considerable assistance, as had the Te Araroa Women’s Institute and the Muriwai branch of the W.D.F.U. Several people in Gisborne had helped the organisation considerably. The chairman commended the organising secretary for having “done a great job.” Replying to a question on the sending of private parcels in bulk, Mr. Bird indicated that the final answer was with the people in England, but he would be able to report on the question through the press in the near future.

Following a question by the chairman as to whether the organisation should carry on with private donations, assisted by public fundtions, as it had been done in the past, many suggestions were made which should result in more active support for the campaign. Most active in the discussion were Messrs. O. T. Williams, Lynch, H. F. Smyth, jun., T. Snelling, J. Kemp, H. Hamilton, Mrs. Akers Mrs. Henderson, and Mrs.. Meffan. After an enjoyable supper, Mr. Lynch disposed of a large assortment of foodstuffs, which realised £2B, which was handed over to the secretary of the campaign. The meeting concluded with a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Bird.