MONEY NEEDED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 17 December 1936, Page 6

MONEY NEEDED

CRIPPLED CHILDREN’S SOCIETY DESIRE TO PARTICIPATE IN ART UNION ALLOCATION “AN OPPORTUNITY MISSED” The need for raising funds to carry on the work of the Nelson branch of the Crippled Children’s Society was stressed by Mr T. Neale, chairman, last evening. During the meeting it had been made clear that the necessity was urgent if they were to carry out the work they desired to and were expected to. Ways and means of collecting the money were then discussed. When the question of a street collection was mentioned, members of the committee considered that in view of the worthy nature of the object the public would favour it with their support. Major R. Dagger considered that the month of March would be the opportune time for such an effort, not earlier, which should not be confined to the city of Nelson but should extend through all districts within the hospital area. Mr H. J. Savage referred to the fact that a sum of £11,200 from the profits of art unions this year is to be allocated as a Christmas box to the Mayors’ funds for the relief of distress, to health camps • for children, and to numerous charitable, and philanthropic institutions in various parts of New Zealand. There was no reason why the Crippled Children’s Society should not have asked for some of that money, and he considered that the central body had missed an excellent opportunity. Mr Savage went on to say that the possibility of the issue of a “Crippled Children’s” stamp should not be overlooked by the committee in considering ways and means of raising money, but the meeting decided against asking the Government to adopt that course, recognising that the Health Stamp was a monopoly for a particular purpose which should not be jeopardised by others butting in. The Crippled Children’s Society should not open the door for others in this matter. The opinion was expressed that the society should pin its hopes to the art union, and -street collection.

Mr J. W. Fitz-Gerald doubted whether they were on firm ground, for contributions from art unions seemed to be almost entirely for the relief of distress.

Major Dagger remarked that the Crippled Children’s Society would not appear out of place in the list.

It was resolved on the motion of Major Dagger that the Nelson Society write to the central body expressing surprise that they had not before now asked the Government for a share of the proceeds from art unions; and recommending that the Minister be approached to allow the Crippled Children’s Society to participate in the next distribution.