POPPY DAY APPEAL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17233, 12 April 1930, Page 6

POPPY DAY APPEAL

QUICK SALES TO-DAY CITIZENS’ GOOD RESPONSE The response made to-day by citizens of Gisborne to tho appeal to “Buy a Poppy” left no doubt of the popularity of the U.S.A.’s work in this district. From an early hour this morning poppysellers greeted those wlio passed through the business area with their trays ol artificial blooms, and sales were rapid and general, very few people failing to respond to the approaches of the sales volunteers. A number of ladies assisted in the disposal of the poppies, and especially during the morning hours their comings and goings at the central depot at the Masonic buildings indicated the brisk nature of the business they were doing.

It was not until near noon that the sales became difficult- to make, most of the business men of the town having by that time bought their poppies, while tho comparatively small number of shoppers and others about town who at that time did not sport the blooms had como to be regarded as poor prospects. There were many instances in which the sellers were refused for the simple reason that those approached had no money, and more than a few who did buy must have made real .sacrifices on behalf of the R.S.A. objective. Cases l occurred in which the last shilling in a shopper’s purse was donated with a cheerful smile, and the experiences of the poppy-sellers were practically free from anything distasteful. Those who could not buy at least realised the earnestness of the sellers and tho worth of their cause, in practically every instance, and many undertook to grace their coat lapels with tho flowers of remembrance later when they had cash available for the purpose. The noon-hour rush of people homewards from work brought a renewal of the brisk demand of the earlier morning hours, and sellers near the bus stops did excellent business. By this time it was becoming evident that the supply of poppies would he exhausted before the demand was completely filled, and many citizens who had paid for their flowers willingly returned them so that second sales might be made. The officials in charge of the appeal were most gratified with the attitude of the public, the returns from sales of poppies being sufficient t-o guarantee a good start with the new year’s work of relieving indigence among distressed returned soldiers.