Anzac Relief Fund In New York

Northern Advocate, 9 May 1941, Page 6

Anzac Relief Fund In New York

The splendid work being done for the New Zealand and Australian Forces by the Anzac War Relief Fund, New York, is reflected in a letter his Excellency the Governor-General. Sir Cyril Newall. as chairman of the National Patriotic Fund Board, has received from Mr. Alick McLean, chairman of the organisation. The letter is in reply to a cable sent bj his Excellency for its gift of -.ambulances and mobile canteens to the New Zealand Forces.

“Two weeks ago,” states the letter, which was written on March 31, “wc shipped four of the so-called 'lndian type’ ambulances, built specially to specifications sent us by air from Australia, to the New Zealand Patriotic Fund Gift Commissioner in the Middle East. Next week we are sending five to Wellington, New Zealand, and seven more to the Middle East. The remaining four, making 20 in all, will be shipped about the middle of May, at which time we hope that the entire gift of 65 ambulances to the Australians and New Zealanders will have been completed and shipped. ‘•Next week we are shipping onehalf million cigarettes to the Anzacs in the Middle East and 120,000 to the Anzacs in England.” American Regard for Anzacs

Mention is made of the reputation the Anzacs enjoy in the United States. “The New Zealand-Australian troops,” the letter continues, “have had great publicity in the papers and magazines in this country, and it is not an exaggeration to say that they perhaps stand higher in the affection of the people in this country than almost any other people. This sympathy for the Anzacs extends from the Administration at Washington right down through most people in the country, and this is well evidenced by the present visit of the American fleet to the Antipodes.”

After referring to plans for the celebration of Anzac Day in New York City by the New Zealand and Australian Societies of New York, the members of which largely comprise the membership of the Anzac War Relief Fund, the letter states: “Please convey to the officers and men in the New Zealand Forces our pride in and our admiration of their achievements, and tell them we take much pleasure in doing our bit in sending various needs that have gone forward from us for their comfort and happiness.” The cigarettes from the fund will be easily identified, for on each packet will be a printed paper sticker bearing the words: “Donated with best wishes from American friends of the Anzacs through the Anzac War Relief Fund, New York.” A report covering the first nine months’ activities of the organisation has also been received by the National Fatriotic Fund Board. The Anzac War Relief Fund was organised in May, 1940, and works in co-operation, through representatives in Melbourne and Wellington, with the patriotic organisations of Australia and New Zealand. It has done magnificently already. In its first .nine months the total value of money and goods contributed by or through the fund amounted to approximately 180,000 dollars. “This remarkable achievement,” the report states, “has been possible only by the untiring efforts of a small group of the executive committee, the continued generosity of our members and their friends, and by substantial contributions from the British-American Ambulance Corps and the British War Relief Society.” ' Included in the list of executive officers of the organisation are people whose names are well known in thr part of the world, such as Sir Hubert Wilkins, Mr. Percy Grainger, Miss Nola Luxford, Miss Merle Oberon,

Snowy Baker, Errol Flynn, and Clement May. Honorary patrons are the Prime Minister of Australia (Mr Menzies) and the Prime Minister of New Zealand (Mr. Fraser). Like the Handclasp of a Friend The report ends on the note which continues to grow stronger—the drawing together still closer of the bonds between the people of the United States and those of the British Commonwealth. “We wish to take this opportunity,” states the concluding paragraph of the report, “of again thanking all those who have contributed to the fund. We know that every Australian, every New Zealander, and every American friend of those countries will continue to donate time and money to the utmost of their ability. The spirit of friendship and sympathy that makes these gifts possible far transcends their monetary value. It riot only greatly strengthens the bonds between the people of this country and those ‘Down Under,’ but, like the strong handclasp one friend gives to another, it conveys encouragement and support when .those, things are most needed and appreciated.”