CHRISTMAS SEALS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIX, Issue 305, 11 December 1929, Page 9

CHRISTMAS SEALS

TWO FOLD PURPOSE STAMPS POSTAGE AND CHARITY. SUBSCRIBE YOUR MITE. In order to reap from the spirit of goodwill which is existent generally during the Christmas season, the Postal Department and the Health Department are making an effort to raise a substantial sum of money to be devoted to the prevention of tuberculosis within the Dominion. The money is to be obtained by selling Charity stamps which were placed on sale at post offices throughout the Dominion to-day (Wednesday). The stamps are to be sold at 2d each. Each stamp has a postage value of Id and a Charity value of Id. The Charity stamp scheme was inaugurated in Denmark in 1904; and the accompanying copy, of a statement issued by the National Tuberculosis Association, of New York, gives the story of its origin. The purchasing of the combined stamp is entirely, voluntary. The secret of the success of the Charity stamp scheme lies in the fact that no one, however poor, need forego the satisfaction of subscribing his mite to the good cause.

CHILDREN’S HEALTH CAMPS. It is proposed that the proceeds of the appeal in the first instance shall be devoted to the setting up throughout the Dominion of health camps for improving the health of illnourished and debilitated children and of children who aro contacts with cases of tuberculosis in their own homes. It is understood from tho Health Department that many children who are contacts of tuberculosis in their own homes and who ultimately contract and die of the disease would be spared if at the time of contact and before the disease developed they were removed for a time to a health camp in the country. In all measures taken for the welfare of such children lack of financial resources becomes evident, Than tuberculosis, there is no disease in respect of which good nutrition is more imperative from the preventive as well as the curative aspect; but where tuberculosis is associated with poverty good nurture is impossible For a large number of affected children, their main hope lies in removal from their present environment for a time at least. The results of health camps already held have amply demonstrated what can be done by a simple regime of adequate rest, fresh air, sunshine and nroper feeding. The health camps are under medical supervision.

EVERYBODY’S OPPORTUNITY. It is believed that most people will welcome the opportunity of assisting in some small way towards brightening the lives and improving the health of Hie children who it is proposed should benefit. It is hoped that business films in particular will use the stamps on at least a portion of their correspondence. The outgoing in the case of each individual giver will be a comparatively small sum; but, if each person contributes, the aggregate result for the Dominion as a whole will be a substantial sum of money. The scheme offers a unique opportunity for al] to turn into health; health for those little ones—frequently from poor homes—who have been in contact with and are in danger of developing. tuberculosis. Each Charity stamp purchased will assist in stamping out the disease. The Charity stamp scheme of raising funds for deserving causes has proved’ a success in other countries, and there is no reason why it should not prove a success in New Zealand. It has been in operation for 21 years in the United States of America ; and the amount raised in a recent effort in that country was over one million pounds. Prevention is bettei than cure; and the taking of preven live measures against tuberculosis will prove benefir-ial not only to many individual New Zealand homes, but to the Dominion ns n whole.