POPPY DAY

Northern Advocate, 21 April 1933, Page 4

POPPY DAY

Tuesday; April 25, will be A ll zap Day, which marks the. most notable day in the history of Australia and New Zealand. It commemorates the day. eighteen years ago, when men of the new nations received their baptism of fire and Avon for themselves and their countries fame which Avill never perish. In the terrible struggle of which the 'Lauding Avas but the beginning, ■thousands of Australians and New Zealanders, the flower of their race, Avere broken, in body. Many of the Avonnded Avere restored to health, but a great host could never be as they were hefore they suffered for their Empire’s sake. Though they haA r c carried on bravely in peace, as they did in Avar, they will hear in their bodies the marks of the experience through Avhieh they have passed. Many have fallen by the Avayside, unable longer to hear the strain. They are in urgent need of all the aid that can be given. Others, Avhose number cannot be estimated, are grimly holding on. They, too, need all the help that can be provided. It is for the purpose of raising funds for distribution among returned soldiers Avho may need it that a great annual festival has been promoted. Poppy Day it is called. Artificial poppies, reminiscent of those Avhieh groAV on Flanders fields, are sold on Poppy Day, and the funds thus raised are handed to organisations founded in the interests of returned soldiers. Whangarei and surrounding districts will observe Poppy Day tomorroAV, and, as in other years, the proceeds will he handed to the executive committee of the ExEmpire Services Association. Avhieh will decide the uses to which the money will be put. It is hoped that Whangarei and the out-districts will respond generously. The need is great, and everybody should consider it a privilege to become the Avearer of a poppy tomorrow, and thus give practical form to the spiritual emotions which Avill be stirred on Anzac Day.