Health Stamp Campaign

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 230, 30 September 1935, Page 10

Health Stamp Campaign

APPEAL BY GOVERNOR-GENERAL

At 9.5 p.m. last evening, his Excellency the Governor-General, Viscount Galway, officially inaugurated tho 1935 Health Stamp Campaign in broadcasting tho following address from tho four national radio stations: —

“This year, as most of my hearers know, a special effort is being made to promoto the salo of the ‘Health’ stamp. It costs twopence. A penny is for postage, and we all agree that our excellent Postal Department will give us good valuo for that expenditure. “The proceeds from tho other penny will bo handed over, without deduction, to the organisations concerned in the administration of children’s health camps. Horc again there will be good value receivod for those pennies, and I gladly take the opportunity afforded me by tho New Zealand Broadcasting Board of commending * tho Health Stamp Campaign to tho consideration of tho generous peoplo of this Dominion. “An appoal on behalf of children’s welfare always strikes a sympathetic chord in our hearts. Children are a delight, and wo parents all feel that everything wo can do to promote the health and happiness of our children is effort well spent. “But our interest goes further. It extends to all children, and I foci that

you share with, mo tho opinion that ovdry child should enjoy a happy childhood, tho foundation of which is sound health. “My own short but very happy acquaintance with this Dominion has demonstrated to mo that, in general, there is a very satisfactory standard ot health,-that most children aro brought up amidst good surroundings, and that they have every opportunity to profit by tho splendid climate of this beautiful country. But, unfortunately, there aro many children in our midst who aro handicapped by their environment and who, unless friendly help is extended to them, cannot enjoy all the things which we regard as essential'to happy childhood. '“lt is on their behalf I rnako this appeal to you to-night to support the Health Stamp Campaign, because upon its success will depend an extension of valuable work for the benefit of tho children. Tho health camps have already given thousands much happiness and a bettor start in life. This work has been sufficiently developed to demonstrate that only tho .fringe of tho problem can be approached with the resources so far at tho command of the various organisations concerned, which range geographically from Auckland to Southland.

“Much valuable work in conserving the health of our children is being done by (State departments, but the activities of the orgamsa-tions which will benefit from the - Health (Stamp Campaign will provide in addition that valuable personal touch, that personal attention which means so much to impressionable children. This aspect is recognised by the promoters of tho national campaign for funds, and it has been decided that money raised in any particular district shall bo applied for tho benefit of tho children in that district. The hou. organiser, Mr. Hooker, has had great success in setting up committees in all parts of New Zealand, and the campaign is based in a geographical sense upon the 48 hospital districts of tho Dominion.

“Here is an opportunity for personal servico on ono of (ho thousand committees now being established throughout tho length and breadth of tho land. Organisation, however well directed, cannot go far unless backed by the power of numbers, and in making this special appeal to those who can spare timo for personal service, I venture to predict that, as a result oi their work, they will realise so strongly the national value of tho health cam';) movement, and gain such a knowledge of tho generous hearts af the people, that t hey will soon come to regard service on a committee as a valued privilege.

“Tho Minister of Health, Fir Alexander Young, who officially endorses the campaign, has made a suggestion

which will bo followed—that the moneys collected shall bo expended in , fcho maintenance at health camps ot children selected on me advieo ot Officer's of the'school medical service or on the recommendation of medical practitioners, In many cases, particularly, ho states, from small hospital districts, the funds can be more beneficially used for the immediate help of needy children. by sending them to an existing health camp (where proper routine is established) by expenditure on building and equipment. "One can scarcely conceive a better method than the ‘Health'' stamp of providing an opportunity to subscribe in accordance with our financial resources. The individual response may vary from one stamp to many hundreds, and 1 feel sure that the community will realise that there is a very real need for extension of the health camp work, and that the results—in increased good health, in greater happiness to many thousands ot children, our future citizens—will commend the campaign so strongly to your generosity that the objective of £IO,OOO will quickly be reached."