ANZAC STAMPS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22403, 27 April 1936, Page 12

ANZAC STAMPS

R.S.A. BELIEF FUND VICE-REGAL SUPPORT BROADCAST APPEAL MADE "The necessity for continued practical acknowledgment of our duty to the inefi of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force has not diminished with the passing years," declared the Governor-General, Viscount Galway, in a radio broadcast address through YA stations last evening in urging the purchasing of the special commemorative An/.ac stamps issued to assist funds for the relief # of returned men and their dependants.

After traversing the part played by New Zealand troops in the Great War His Excellency pointed out that a death roll of 16,697 and a list of wounded totalling 41,317 was but a part of the tale of losses and sufferings. At the conclusion of hostilities, it became necessary to make provision for thousands of incapacitated men who, as a result of their war service, were unable to take up their former duties in useful occupations, and in this connection both State and members of the public acknowledged the responsibility in generous measure. War Pensions Scheme New Zealand's war pensions scheme was planned on a liberal basis, and much was done to assist returned soldiers in their re-establish-ment as citizens. Public and private generosity gave token of recognition of the immense sacrifices made by the men 'of the Expeditionary Force and their immeasurable contribution to New Zealand's nationhood. "Time passes, and nearly 20 years have elapsed since the termination of the struggle in favour of the Allied forces," said His Excellency. "Has the admiration of New Zealanders for their gallant soldiers become in any way dimmed ? A generation has now arisen which knew little of the trials and anxieties of the Empire during the Great War; and it falls to us of the older generation to remind them of the privileges they inherited through the sacrifices made so many years ago." ESects o! Strenuous Years After detailing what had been done in extending the benefits of war pensions, His Excellency said that the physical hardships and discomforts endured by the men in Flanders for weeks on end, quite apart altogether from the risks of battle, took toll of their physique in a way which was not evident when they underwent medical examination at the time of demobilisation. The tale of those strenuous years was being told to-day in the premature ageing and breakdown of many of those who were proud to be passed as "fit" on return to their civilian occupations after the Armistice. Moreover, in the case of many, an undermined health had during the past few years been aggravated by inability to obtain suitable regular employment. It had now become a necessity to endeavour to supplement State forms of aid in a multitude of cases which could not be covered by the terms of any statute. The issue of the Anzac stamps at the request of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association would give the people of New Zealand an opportunity of showing in a practical sense their continued recognition of the sacrifices made by their young men at the time of the Empire's need.