POPPY DAY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 120, 20 April 1934, Page 8

POPPY DAY.

When the idea was first conceived of using the sentiment attaching to the poppies of Elanders fields for assisting deserving ex-servicemen, little was it dreamed of the benefit that would flow to thousands upon thousands of these men and their families. In New Zealand the original proposal to assist France in her scheme of rehabilitation and at the same time helping our own soldiers by the sale of poppies was enthusiastically taken up by the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association. Later, however, poppies manufactured in Great Britain by disabled soldiers displaced those made in Erance. Now, for some few years the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association has established the manufacture of the poppies as an industry for our own disabled men. At the present time therefore, every, poppy sold not only helps in providing employment for those engaged in this manufacture but also assists m providing for hundreds of men, women children now suffering from our economic depression. Locally, ‘ tlie. Returned Soldiers’ Association has in the past been uniformly successful in their efforts to make Poppy Day a most excellent purpose for those it is designed to benefit. It is to be hoped that knowing the need that exists this year the willing band . of helpers who undertake the sales will be met by a generous response to their appeal, “Please buy a Poppy” on Saturday next.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —I thank you in anticipation foi allowing me to use your columns to make an appeal on behalf of my association for the generous support . of the public in the sale of our poppies. Never in our history has there existed such a need amongst those whom the association is endeavouring to assist and we long for the day when we .may look back on this period as a nightmare never to be experienced again. So far we have been enabled to do a great deal. Quite apart from the sentiment expressed by the poppy, tlie funds we have been able to raise by its sale have contributed in no small measure to our achievements to date. Those who have contributed have been well repaid by knowledge of the boon conferred upon less fortunate families. I therefore ask in our hour of great need that all sections of our public should continue their support of our only appeal each year and cheerfully contribute the small subscription of one shilling that we require. Small though it is in tlie aggregate it is the means of affording a large amount ot help to those of our comrades who are unfortunately so desperately in need of it.—l am, etc., B. J. JACOBS, President, R.S.A.