MONEY, NOT GOODS

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1940, Page 2

MONEY, NOT GOODS

NEEDS, OH «ICK AND AV(VENDED AIONSTER NATIONAL APPEAL War workers all over, the Dominion have been asked by the organisers ol the Sick, Wounded and Distress Fund -.npeal to give up their knitting and their sewing lor the duration of the campaign and concentrate on the uillection of money. Tile reason lor this diversion of effort was explained by one platform speaker when, launching the appeal in the south last wtek ■ The British Rod Cross had been sending three parcels a fortnight to prisoners of war. he said, ami those parcels comprised foods, towels underclothing, soap, shaving gear, socks and glo.us and their safe delivery to prisoner, s of war is guaranteed by, the International League of Red Cross Societies. Practically the only articles that had been made hv- voluntary workers in New Zealand were socles and gloves, so that obviously 'the need was for money so that the other articles cot Ed be supplied. Another reason whv money rather than, goods is asked for is that the tremendous, international organisation through’which the Red Cross opt rate s lias its finger'on the pulse of soldiers’ requirements, and can direct money through the most appropriate cha.’Utels. and in the purchase of suitable goods An interesting comparison in this connection is recalled by the experience of Florence Nightingale, founder of the modern hospital and nursing system whose efforts paved tile way for the world-wide activities of the Red Cross, [n writing from the battlefield at the Crimea 86 years ago to a friend in England she said: “There is not a small town or oarish in 'England from which wo have not received contributions; not any of those* contributions is worth its freight. A good parce’ contains perhaos 141 bs. of arrowroot, three pairs of muffetees, old rags, a few flannel. hands, three do. on comforters and some welsh wigs. If I had all the money these'freights have cost, [ could build a hospital with it.’’ The purpose behind the Sick. Wounded and Distress Fund Appeal to-day is the same as that ol Flow nee Nightingale’s letter of three quarters of a century ago— to divert all pat-

riotic work through bodies which have the organisation and the knowledge to dispose of the gifts in the most practical and useful manner.