KING GEORGE FUND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23205, 1 June 1937, Page 14

KING GEORGE FUND

WELFARE OF THE CHILDREN ACTING PRIME MINISTER’S FINAL APPEAL (Special to Daily Times) WELLINGTON. May 31. The Acting Prime Minister (Mr P. Fraser) last night issued a final appeal to the people of the Dominion on behalf of the King George Memorial Fund. “ This fund,” he said, “ was opened by the Prime Minister (Mr Savage) on March 22, on the eve of his departure for England, and on his behalf I wish to thank the people of New Zealand for the wonderful manner in which they have responded to his appeal. The results have been excellent, and if we all make one final effort between now and June 3, the official closing date of the appeal, we shall be able to place the Children’s Health Camp Movement on a basis that will excel the most optimistic expectations. Never has an appeal been more truly national. The fund has been supported by people in every walk of life, and the success of this campaign demonstrates the deep concern that the citizens of this country have for the welfare of the less fortunate children, as well as the affection which they shared with those of other parts of the British Commonwealth of Nations for the late King. “ New Zealand’s memorial to King George V will not only perpetuate his memory,” Mr Fraser said, “ but also sponsor a cause that was the late King’s constant concern —the welfare of the children. This fine attribute of his character is also being fittingly commemorated by the British memorial fund, which will be devoted to the establishment of playing fields, and the recent appeal for support for this fund by Lord Dawson of Penn, _ who was King George V’s physician, closed with the following words:— King George felt that the future of the country lay with youth; that youth for their own training needed well-equipped, open spaces where they could gain strength of lung and limb, strive in friendly rivalry, and learn how to play the game. How true was this vision—for as time goes on, it will be found that the school which teaches health, the hospital which restores health, and the open space which makes for health, are all part of one great conception. " The Health Camp Movement has made a direct appeal to the deep humanitarian instincts of the New Zealand people, and by voluntary, efforts they have brought the blessed boon of health to thousands of children who might have lived a life of misery or suffering. The movement has become an integral part of a positive policy in the matter of health—a policy that not only safeguards against disease, but actually promotes good health. We have not only to conquer disease, but also to help our people, especially the children, who are the foundation of the generations to come, to become fit and keep fit. It is in this work that the health camps are playing such a vital part, and with the establishment of permanent camps adequately equipped and staffed those children who need the physical and mental stimulus of fresh air aod sunshine under the control of skilled medical and social workers will be provided for in a manner that has not hitherto been possible. These permanent health cam: j will crown the wonderful voluntary efforts of the past and at the same time will be a worthy memorial to a great King. “ I earnestly commend this appeal to you all,” the Minister added. “If you have not given yet, you have yet a chance to swell the fund in the centre in which you live.” DUNEDIN DONATIONS

APPEAL TO DUNEDIN CITIZENS VALUE OF MEMORIAL STRESSED In connection with the appeal tor public subscriptions to the King George V Memorial Fund, the Dunedin Propaganda Committee —the Mayor (the Rev. E. T. Cox), Messrs M. S. Myers and N. R. Wilson —have issued the following statement: — “ The establishment of permanent health camps for children as a memorial to our late beloved Sovereign is a form of national welfare promotion that not only lias the imprimatur of our present King, his Majesty George VI, to commend it, but must appeal to all patriotic citizens, for the first necessity of national well-being is a virile and healthy race. In spite of the advances made by science in our generation, progress that has greatly increased the longevity of the people, we still find large numbers of children who, from one cause or another, need special provision. “ The temporary camps have shown what fine results can accrue from proper treatment during a few weeks of open-air life in the holiday periods. With the establishment of permanent health camps, many of these young children can have months instead of weeks under expert care in ideal surroundings. The effect of this upon the future of these children mav be likened to the old saying: ‘lt is better to put a fence on the lop of the cliff than to provide an ambulance in the valley below.’ “ The position of the fund shows that, with one last determined effort,

the objective of £50,000 from personal and private gifts will be reached. To date the figures arc:— £ Auckland .. .. 17,212 Wellington .. .. 9,452 Christchurch .. .. 5,472 Dunedin 4,187 “ The great final effort will be made on Thursday next, when arrangements have been made by the Returned Soldiers’ Association to furnish 15 street stalls for the sale of flags. At the present more helpers are much needed, and any ladies willing to co-operate should ring Mr O. Kerens at the Retunied Soldiers’ Association rooms to be allotted places and hours.”

£ Previously acknowledged 3,862 s. 17 d. 6 Otago Hospital Board .. 100 0 0 Mr and Mrs J. A. Roberts 50 0 0 Dunedin Operatic Society 10 10 0 Messrs A. and T. Burt, Ltd. 10 10 0 Mr Justice Kennedy 5 5 0 District Grand Lodge 0. and S. (E.C.) 5 5 0 M. S. Myers 5 5 0 Dr and Mrs Evans .. .. 5 5 0 Dunedin Municipal Employees’ Union .. .. 5 5 0 F. H, King and Co., Ltd. 5 5 0 Hope and Dunedin Tent, I.O.R 6 0 0 Staff, Whitcombe and Tombs, Ltd 3 5 0 Messrs Ramsay and Haggitt . 3 3 0 Sobriety Tent, I.O.R. 3 0 0 “XYZ” 2 0 0 Enterprise Lodge No. 2, IT.A.O.D 1 1 0 1 1 0 Loyal Maniototo Lodge, M.U.I.O.O.F. .. .. 1 1 0 Royal Oak Lodge No. 3, U.A.O.D 1 i 0 A.I.F. Assn, of Dunedin 1 1 0 F. Foote 1 0 0 “ E ” 1 0 0 J. Cormack, Peebles (second donation) 1 0 0 H. G. G 1 0 0 “ Wellwisher ” 0 10 0 M. J 0 7 G £4,081 18 0