FIGHTING SERVICES

Grey River Argus, 13 March 1940, Page 11

FIGHTING SERVICES

Appeal Reaches £19,000

[Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, March 12. Reports from twelve centres out of 100, reporting the progress of the appeal being made by the Y.M.C.A. and the Salvation Army, are very encouraging for the welfare of the fighting forces. The total amount so far to hand is just under £19,000. This is considered exceptionally good, as the intensive canvassing of all towns commenced only yesterday. The amount stated does not include Mr T. H. Lowry’s gift of £lO,OOO. Auckland’s response was most gratifying, establishing a good lead on the other centres. WAIKATO DONATION. HAMILTON, March 12. The Waikato Racing Club decided last evening, to lend the Government £5OO free of interest for the duration of the war and six months after. The Club also decided to donate £lOO to the Y.M.C.A. Salvation Army appeal, the latter amount being in addition to the £lOO donated to the Hamilton Patriotic Committee. RED CROSS CONFERENCE. WELLINGTON, March 12. The great scope in New Zealand for the Red Cross Society at the present time, and the possibility of building a foundation that would enable the work to be carried on into postwar years, was referred to by Lord Galway, when opening the first annual conference in Wellington to-day. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes presided. He explained that this was the first conference because, in the past, they had worked as a branch of the British Society. The delegates'" were welcomed to the city by the Mayor and the Bishop of Wellington recited an invocation. Lord Galway referred to the need for young workers in the movement. No one wanted to see the older workers discarded, but they should get the younger’ people on to the committees, to give them energy. The Red Cross would not work efficiently unless it spread its net over every house, from the hospital door to the backblocks, to get help in case of emergency. Speaking of the present time; he said that the main work was to prepare for the sick and wounded who would be returning from overseas. A vast amount of comforts would be needed when the fighting campaign opened, and in May a big drive would be made for funds, and he hoped the response would be worthy of the cause. It was intended to work generously but without extravagance.