GIFTS TO ANZACS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 126, 29 April 1941, Page 6

GIFTS TO ANZACS

AMERICA'S PRACTICAL INTEREST (Press Assn.) WELLINGTON, April 29 In a letter dated March 31, addressed to the Governor-General as chairman of the National Patriotic Fund Board, Mr A. Mc ß ean, chairman of tho Anzac War Relief Fund, New ork, mentions that four ambulances have been sent to the Middle East, five more arc coming to Wellington, and seven moro arc going to the -Middle East. The remaining four of New Zealand's 20 will be shipped about the middlo of May, by which time it is hoped the entire gilt of 05 to the Australians and New Zcalandcrs will have been completely shipped. The letter also announces that hall a million cigarettes have been despatched to the Anzacs in the Middle East and 120,000 to the Anzacs in England. Mention is made of the reputation the Anzacs enjoy in the United States.

"The New Zealand and Australian troops have had great publicity in the papi'n* and magazines oi this country, and it is not an exaggeration to s£y they perhaps stand "higher in the affection of the people of this country than almost any other people. This sympathy for the Anzacs extends from the Administration in Washington right down through most of the people of this country, and this is well evidenced in the present visit of the American fleet to the Antipodes." A report covering the first nine months of the fund, which was established in May, 19-10. and works through representatives in Melbourne and Wellington in conjunction with the Patriotic Societies of Australia and New Zealand, states that the total value of the money gilts contributed is approximately 180.000 dollars. Included in the names of the executive are some known in every part of the world, such as Sir Hubert Wilkins. the explorer, Percy Grainger, the eminent pianist, Miss Nola Luxford, Merle Oberon, ''Snowy" Baker, Errol Flynn, and Clement May.