"FAG DAY."

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17335, 25 November 1916, Page 11

"FAG DAY."

TOBACCO AND CIGARETTES FOR THE TROOPS. £24S' COLLECTED YESTERDAY.. Yesterday trns "Fag Day" in the city, and a willing band of lady helpers mado appeals for contributions of tobacco in.any form, plugs, cut, And cigarettes and cigars, or for money to purchase tho wares of Lady Nicotine, for the Dominion troops in the trenches in France. The appeal was made to all citizens, but particularly to the army of smokers and men generally. Some persons expressed an opinion that tobacco should be procured at Home for the troops, but.it will b& news to many to learn that the New Zealanders at. the front prefer the cigarettes and tobacco that ore sent to them from New Zealand. The reason, no doubt_ is that some of tho best tobacco is 'imported into New Zealand, and in returning it to tho liring linos the troops are sure of good quality tobacco and satisfying smokes. A lot of rubbish, it is said, is being served out to tho troops on the Western Front. As verification, there is a statement made in a, letter shown yesterday to a " Lyttelton ' Times " reporter from a local soldier now serving in France. He says: "lor heaven's sake send "us some decent tobacco and cigarettes. Good tobacco is . scarce here and much of it is poor in quality. Whenever a fellow tills a pivie of tne stuff we procure here his chums.round jibout don their ga s helmets. This is not a joke, but solid fact." The appeal yesterday was made under the. direction of the Lady Liverpool organisation. Mrs H. R. Smith, who was in charge of the arrangements, had her headquarters at the Chamber of Commerce, and had a body of helpers numbering nearly one hundred. Mrs Smith'stated that the Lady Liverpool Depot has been sending on an average 6000 parcels to the troops per month, and each parcel: which finds its way eventually to the men in the trenches, contains certain comforts, including tobacco and cigarettes. As letters" from the front state that the troops require all the tobacco it is possible to send, the Lady Liverpool effort yesterday was directed specially with a view to procuring a big stock hy contributions in kind or hy receipt of monev which will enable tobacco, cigarettes and cigars to be bought and sent to the soldiers. The money that is subscribed will be upent locally, so that the cash will be redistributed in the city. The tobacco will not he purchased out of New Zealand; The helpers wero stationed at points of vantage about tho city with collecting boxes for money. Bins were provided in which tobacco and cigarettes were deposited for dispatch to the troops. The helpers wore a pretty hadcre, in flag form, containing a col-. oure'd combination of the flags of Britain, France, Belgium and Russia. The badge device, ''United Wo Stand.'' The result of tho day's woTk was £222 0s "lOd in cash and £26 7s worth of goods, making a total of £248 7s lOd, which the promoters of the movement consider very satisfactory. Trooper Mandel, an Otago soldier, who has enlisted again, collected £" Ss.