MEMORIAL TO KING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 154, 1 June 1937, Page 5

MEMORIAL TO KING

HEALTH CAMP APPEAL. ACTING-PRIME MINISTER. The acting-Prime Minister (Hon. P. Fraser) last evening concluded the series of national appeals which have been made on behalf of the King George V National Memorial Fund. “This fund was opened by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, on March 22, on the eve of his departure for England, and on his behalf I wish to thank the people of New Zealand For the wonderful manner in which they have responded to his appeal. The results have been excellent, and if we all make one final effort between now and June 3, the official closing date of the appeal, we will be able to place the children’s health camp movement on a basis that will excel the most optimistic expectations,” said the Minister. “Never has an appeal been more truly national. The fund has been supported by people in every walk of life, and the success of this campaign demonstrates the deep concern that the citizens of this country have for the welfare of the less fortunate children, as well ns the affection which they shared with those of other parts of the British Commonwealth of Nations for the late King. “New Zealand’s memorial to King George V will not only perpetuate his niemory, but also sponsor a cause that was the late King’s constant concern, the welfare of the children. This fine attribute of his character is also being fittingly commemorated by the British Memorial Fund, which will be devoted to the establishment of playing fields, and the recent appeal for support for this fund by Lord Dawson of Penn, who was King George Vs physician, closed with the following words —‘King George felt that the future of the country lay with youth; that youth, for their own training, needed well equipped open spaces, where they could gain strength of lung and limb, strive in' friendly rivalry, and learn how to play the game. How true was this vision—for as time goes on it will be found that the school which teaches health, the hospital which restores health, and the open space which makes for health, are all part of one great conception.’ These words could be applied with equal force to our own appeal. Any fund which has for its objective the promotion of health and happiness among tlio children of tho nation must go straight to the hearts of all, and that is. the reason why the health camp movement of the Dominion lias been so generously supported since 'its inauguration in 1919. The movement has made a direct appeal to the deep humanitarian instincts of the New Zealand people, and bv voluntary efforts they have brought the blessed boon of health to thousands of children who might have lived a life of misery or suffering, The children’s health camp movement .has become an integral part of a positive policy in the matter of health, a policy that not only safeguards against disease, but actually promotes good health. The People of this country are living longer than their forefathers, but we must make sure that those years are worth living, and life to be worth living must be healthy and vigorous. We have not only to conquei disease. but also help" our people, especially the children, who are the foundation of tho generations to come, to become fit and keep fit. It is m this work that the health camps are playing such a vital part, land, with the establishment of permanent camps adequately equipped and staffed, those children who need the physical and metal stimulus of fresh air and sunshine under the control of skilled medical and social workers will be provided for in a manner that has not hitherto been possible. These camps will crown the wonderful voluntary efforts of the past and at the same time they will be a worthy memorial to a great “ earnestly commend this appeal to you all. If you have not given yet, J’9 U have yet a chance to swell the fund in the centre in which you live,” added Mr Fraser. “In conclusion let. me repeat the message received by His Excellency the Governor-General Lord Galway, from the private secretary of our present King. He wrote as follows: the King thinks that your proposed memorial in the form of a children s health movement could not be bettered.’ ”