POPPY DAY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1038, 10 June 1924, Page 12

POPPY DAY.

EX-SOLDIERS'. DISCUSSION. (Per Pren» Anociation.) CHRIBTCHUKCH; June 9. Poppy Bay woa under discussion at the Returned Soldiers' -Associations' Conference to-night, when remits were received from Auckland, Wellington and Otago in regard to a number of recommendations. Both Messrs R. B. Bell and E. F, Andrews spoke against the suggestion that Poppy Day should be, held on or about Armistice Day. The Rev. J. MeC'rae said poppies and Anzac Day served to go together. People liked to buy poppies and wear them on Anzac Day, and if Poppy Day was altered to Armistice Day the sales would go down by 50 per cent. Mr W. E. Leadiey said Chrislchurch had a splendid record in regard to Anzac Day celebrations and the poppy played a prominent part each year, lie moved that the custom be not interfered with.

Mr B. J. Jacobs (Palmerslon North) said he could not see any connection with Poppy Day and Anzac Day. It seemed wrong to benefit financially by appealing to people's sentiment. It seemed to him a demoralising thing for the R.S.A. to "parade its bones" and then ask for financial assistance. If Poppy Day was to be continued, he hoped it would be dissociated from Anzac Day. Mr Leadley's motion, "That the arrangement of Poppy Day as at present be not interfered with," was carried. It-was decided that the local associations should determine the snocific distribution of the proceeds of Poppy Day. special attention to be devoted to the relief of unemployment and the New Zealand Veterans Home at Auckland.