NOT FORGOTTEN

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3156, 12 August 1942, Page 8

NOT FORGOTTEN

GIFT PARCELS VALUED APPRECIATION EXPRESSED PRAISE FROM MEN OVERSEAS “Many letters continug to be received by the National Patriotic Fund Board from New Zealanders serving in many parts of the world expressing appreciation of gift parcels received by them,” states an article in the monthly Bulletin of the National Patriotic Fund Board.

The article continues: — “A considerable number of those that,, have arrived lately have come from iifemeither serving in or based in Great Britain,, and it is impossible ■to read their letters, and also others to hand, recently, without realising how much the men of our fighting .Services overseas think of the time, money and energy spent in the preparation and dispatch of parcels to them.

“Above all, they appreciate the fact that they have not been forgotten by their country. That, after all, is the real value of the unaddressed parcels, and letters from men of all

ranks prove, if proof were needed, that -in this branch of the nation’s patriotic effort the provincial patriotic councils and the small army of workers behind them in the zone committees are doing a grand job. “The following extract from a lieutenant serving in the Royal Navy speaks for itself: T have found that the great thing about a New Zealander is that one is never forgotten and it warms one’s heart and makes one realise just what a wonderful place New Zealand is.’ This New Zealander wrote to acknowledge the receipt of one of the special parcels of tobacco sent to Great Britain and elsewhere overseas for distribution to all New Zealanders in detached units at Christmas time. Others have also written in praise of these parcels mentioning that they were particularly acceptable because of the rationing of tobacco in England. “A letter from a member of a New Zealand draft for the 'Fleet Air Arm, besides expressing appreciation of comforts received by him, paid.

tribute to the Anzac Club which has been established and is maintained in Halifax, Canada, iby the Australian 'Comforts Fund and the New Zealand National Patriotic Fund. “This club,” he stated, “proved tremendously popular among all our draft. The club is widely ‘appreciated, and I can-easily say that any expense in that direction will never be wasted. It is a home away from home and a credit to those who have organised it and are keeping it going.’

“These extracts, from letters are published by the board so that those in the provinces, upon whose effort the patriotic movement generally is so much dependant for success, may ■know that their service earns the praise it deserves from our men overseas.”