KING’S JUBILEE GIFT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LV, Issue 4492, 16 May 1935, Page 2

KING’S JUBILEE GIFT.

(To the Editor). Sir, —All the countries comprising the British Commonwealth of Nations are making gifts ' to the King in honour of His Majesty’s Silver Jubilee. I am aware that there are many causes deserving assistance particularly -at the present time, but so far as New Zealand is concerned it is in accordance with His Majesty’s pleasure that all moneys collected for the King’s Jubilee gift in New Zealand are to be devojted not to a gift personal to himself but toAvards the object of assisting the various forms of cancer research in this country for the relief of the many sufferers from this scourge. The King is patron of the British Empire Cancer Campaign, and the Duke -of York founded the branch in Ncav Zealand. The New Zealand Government has given £SOOO as a foundation for the people’s Jubilee gift, but no Government can Avith dignity or propriety press the people to give money to meet the Sovereign’s desire, even Avhen he diverts it from himself to a noble cause. The response in New Zealand, Avhich rightly prides itself on its attachment to the Throne, so far has not been sufficient to dispel the fear that New Zealand Avill compare unfavourably Avith Canada, any of the Australian States or South Africa. The larger donations can bevsent to the Cancer ciety Head Office, 212 Lambton Quay, Wellington, but it has become evident-that people of slender resources, the great majority, are reluctant to take their mite to the money order offices ready to receive donations throughout the Dominion, For the credit of New Zealand, and to meet this difficulty, I trust that all large offices, factories, shops, workshops, societies and family circles will at’ once open a subscription list so that as many loyal and grateful subjects of King George as possible can give an individual shilling to honour the King and help themselves, thus making- it more convenient that the total sum subscribed on each list can be paid in to any post office and a receipt obtained. —I am, etc., J. E. ELLIOTT, M.D.