POPPY DAY SALES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18068, 20 April 1933, Page 6

POPPY DAY SALES

R.S.A. ANNUAL APPEAL STREET DAY ON SATURDAY ALL ASSISTANCE WELCOAIED Li view of the general 'circumstances in regard to unemployment' and the 'particular handicaps under which returned soldiers have been placed through the economic breakdown, the Returned Soldiers’ Association throughout New Zealand lias endeavored to make this year’s Poppy Day appeal as wide as possible.

The Gisborne association has made its plans for Saturday’s sales on a comprehensive basis, and one of the main problems facing the executive at present is to secure sufficient assistance for the town and suburban sales, All who are willing to assist, in the work will earn the thanks of the association if they communicate with Air YY. Oakden or present, themselves at tin' Poppy Day depot iti Lowe street, where badges authorising them to sell .he dllieial blooms will be furnished, n 1 sup dies of poppies will be available.

The poppy blooms to bo sold ill Gisborne and throughout the area adminis'tered by the Gisborne Returned Soldiers’ Association have been made in tho town, by skilled workers comprising members of unemployed returned soldiers’ families. Each bloom will carry the otlieial tag of the New Zealand organisation, and buyers thus, will ho insured against exploitation. Formerly the artitioial poppies* were imported from overseas, the tirst supplies having been made in Belgium and Northern France, and the manufacture being taken up in later years by ex-servicemen in the United Kingdom, under the scheme initiated by the late Earl Haig. In consideration of the growing need for every penny in New Zealand .however, several Dominion branches of the association commenced manufacturing their own supplies of poppies within the last two years, and to-day these branches are in a position to supply their own and their neighbors’ needs. Recognising that many people who wish to contribute to the fund, but may not have the opportunity to purchase poppies, the Gisborne committee has opened subscription lists at the two daily newspaper offices, cash donations already received comprising those of the Kiore Sheepfarming Company, £5 ss; Mr. Howard Kenway, £1 la, and Air. W. Sutherland, Te Pora, 10s. The association will have the greatest pleasure in acknowledging further gifts.

In connection with the work of the Returned Soldiers’ Association for the general relief of unemployment, donations made to the funds of the Central Relief Committee during the past two years have totalled £IOO, and in addition members of the association have given personal services on an honorary basis to promote the work of the committee. Aloreover, the most important feature of last year’s relief programme in Gisborne was undoubtedly the stock drives, initiated by branches of the Gisborne Returned Soldiers’ Association on the East Coast and in the

country areas. As an earnest of what it hopes to do for the general relief of unemployment during the coming year, the association has already taken preliminary steps for further stock drives, the proceeds of which will 'be distributed through tic a control depot without distinction as to the recipients, _ or favor towards returned soldiers.

This communiy service is undertaken by the association as a part acknowledgment of public support in connection with the annual Poppy Day appeals. It is recognised that without the public support on Poppy Day—which in six years has netted £1716 to the association—it would have been impossible to carry on tho R.S.A. work on the 'comprehensive scale achieved and maintained. Poppv Day funds have formed the whole basis of operations, and the association takes pride in the fact that the funds have ueen pyramided in such. a. manner as to enable it to expend £1312 in general relief, and £3633 in subsidising private employment, apart from the extensive social work carried on over the period of six .years since the re-formation of the Gisborne R.S.A.