QUICK RESPONSE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22620, 24 April 1948, Page 6

QUICK RESPONSE

POPPY DAY SALES RECORD YIELD LIKEL 4 Y Public response to the Gisborne Returned Services' Association’s “wear a poppy” appeal, conducted in town and throughout the district yesterday, was exceptionally generous. From an early hour the sellers —of whom for once the association had a fairly adequate number —found it easy to dispose of their blooms, and sellers stationed on the bridges and at other strategic points found themselves drawing on reserve supplies much earlier than usual. Throughout the morning sales continued brisk, and by midday there were very few people to be seen in the town area undecorated with poppies. Reports from the country areas stated that sales were going better than ever in almost every centre, and more than one branch depot sent in inquiries for more blooms. Patrons of the weekly stock sale at Matawhero provided a small group of sellers with a rich concentrated field for their efforts, and members of the crowd entered into a friendly conspiracy with the sellers against some of the shyer prospects who, more in fun than in earnest, sought refuge on the far sides of cattle-pens but surrendered with a good grace when they found the poppy-sellers proof against all obstacles.

In a few isolated instances, sales resistance was encountered by town sellers from prospects who obviously had no sympathy with the appeal. In at least one case this resistance was attributed to the recent stand taken by the Gisborne R.S.A. executive, with other responsible bodies, against Communist activities in the Dominion. In that case fellow-workers of the objector admired the enterprising attack of the seller so much that they bought a second round of blooms for themselves.

Full returns from the day’s sales will not be known for a few days, but there is every prospect of the town sales yielding a record sum for the relief of economic difficulties among sick and disabled ex-service personnel.