CHARITY STAMPS

Southland Times, Issue 21855, 4 November 1932, Page 8

CHARITY STAMPS

EFFORT TO PROMOTE SALE. ESTABLISHMENT OF HEALTH CAMPS. A decision to assist as much as possible the sale of the Department of Health charity stamps with a view to obtaining necessary funds for the establishment of children’s health camps was arrived at last evening at a public meeting held in the City Council Chambers. There was an attendance of some 30 ladies and gentlemen representative of various local organizations over whom his Worship the Mayor (Mr John Miller) presided. The Mayor explained the objects of the meeting and called upon Mr E. Sinclair, the department’s local health inspector, to give details of the proposed campaign. Mr Sinclair said there was undoubtedly a need for such a camp in this district for children who required building up in health. He explained how the charity stamp received its birth in Denmark in 1903. the movement being launched the following year. In the first year the sum of £3.800 was collected in this way and each year it increased until in 1924 an amount of £12,055 was obtained. During the 20 years from 1904 to 1924 the Danish people contributed £150,000 to the health camps. The movement spread to the United States in 1907 in order to combat tuberculosis and in 1908 the national campaign began, the collections each year subsequently showing an increase as was the case in Denmark. Mr Sinclair quoted figures to show that the death rate had fallen considerably in the United States as a result of the establishment of the health camps. With the exception of a small grant to Nelson, the money collected in New Zealand last year had not been allocated and this would be available this year. Mr Sinclair stressed the fact that health camps were a preventive measure and that in the successful treatment of tuberculosis it was necessary to check the disease in its early stages. The speaker also read accounts of the success attendant upon health camps set up in other parts of the Dominion. Mr F. A. Robins, who was present as a representative of the Postal Department, said that the stamps would be on sale until February 28. They would be available for postage to any part of the world, but would not be accepted in payment of stamps duty. Discussing publicity, Mr Sinclair said that Mr J. W. Smith had offered to prepare an attractive window display in his store to assist the sale of the stamps. Mrs W. H. King, president of the Invercargill branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, was warmly applauded when she offered for the site of a health camp her property at Benmore and buildings thereon. On the motion of the Rev. John Chisholm all present were formed into a general committee to further the sale of health stamps. From their numbers the following were appointed an executive committee: Mesdames W. H. King, G. M. Chapman, Edwards, Dr. E. K. Abbott, Miss Kerse. the Rev. John Chisholm and Messrs T. Pryde and O. E. Niederer. More are to be added. Mr J. E. Taylor, acting Town Clerk, Was appointed treasurer. On the motion of Mr Chisholm the executive was requested to keep in view the establishment of an association in Southland for the purpose of raising funds to form an account for a Southland camp. It was decided on the motion of Mr H. S. Cordery to hold a street day to further the sale of stamps. It was, decided to hold a further meeting next Thursday evening. J