AMERICAN HELP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24594, 30 April 1941, Page 8

AMERICAN HELP

GIFT OF AMBULANCES GENEROUS RELIEF WORK ADMIRATION FOR ANZACS: (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Apl. 29. In a letter dated. March 31, addressed to the Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall, as chairman of > the National Patriotic Fund Board,. Mr Aliek McLean, chairman of the. Anzac< War Relief Fund in New:’York, mentions that four ambulances, have been sent to the Middle East, five more are coming to Wellington, and seven more-are going to the Middle East The remaining four of New Zealand's 20 will be shipped about the: middle of May, by which time it is hoped that the entire gift of 65 to Australians and New Zealanders will have been completed and shipped. The letter also announces that 500,000 cigarettes have been despatched to the Anzacs in the Middle East and 120.000 to the Anzacs in England. - Mention is made of the reputation the, Anzacs enjoy in the United States. “ The New Zealand and Australian troops have had great publicity in. the papers and magazines of this country, and it is not an exaggeration to say that they, perhaps, stand higher in the affection of the people of this country than almost any other people. This sympathy for the Anzacs extends from the Administration in Washington right down through most of the people of this country, and is well evidenced in the present visit of the American fleet the Antipodes.” The report covering the first nine months of the fund, which was established in May, 1940, and works through representatives in Melbourne and Wellington, in conjunction with the patriotic societies of Australia and New Zealand, states that the total value of money and gifts contributed is approximately 180,000 dollars. Included in the names of the executive are some known in every part of the world, such as Sir Hubert Wilkins, Mr Percy Grainger. Miss Nola Luxford, Miss Merle Oberon, Mr “ Snowy ’’ Baker. Mr Errol Flynn, and Mr Clement May. Mr Menzies and Mr Fraser are honorary patrons.