APPEAL ON ANZAC NIGHT

Southland Times, Issue 25655, 24 April 1945, Page 6

APPEAL ON ANZAC NIGHT

ATTITUDE OF DUNEDIN R.S.A. (P.A.) DUNEDIN, April 23. Although not satisfied that Anzac night is a suitable occasion for a radio telephone appeal for the patriotic funds,, the executive of the Dunedin R.S.A. has learned that the appeal was- approved by the association’s Dominion executive, and is anxious that nothing should be done to prejudice the appeal. A statement to this effect was made by Mr Forsyth, president of the Dunedin Association. Commenting on the Auckland protest, he said: “On hearing of the proposal my executive felt much as • Auckland does. On inquiry, however, it was found that the Dominion executive had given support to the appeal, so Dimedin confined its activities to a remit to the Dominion conference which would make it impossible to take such action in future.” R.S.A. ASKED TO AID APPEAL COMMENT BY DOMINION VICE-PRESIDENT (P.A.) WELLINGTON, April 23. A protest by the Auckland R.S-A. against the holding of the radio telephone appeal, for patriotic funds on the evening of Anzac Day was commented on today by the N.Z.R.S.A. Dominion vice-president, Mr C. O. Bell, who stated that the National Patriotic Fund Board had • approached the N.Z.R.S.A. Dominion executive committee last March regarding the holding of the appeal on Anzac night and the N.Z.R.S.A. had informed the board that as far as it was concerned it had no objection, but that it could not speak for its affiliated branches. A similar appeal had been held on Anae night in 1941 and no branch had protested. “If the appeal offended the susceptibilities of any branch,” added Mr Bell, “the question could be discussed at the annual N.Z.R.S.A. Dominion conference in June, but the most important duty at the present time is to get behind the appeal and so ensure that the funds required for comforts for our servicemen and women are obtained.” Mr Bell concluded by appealing to all branches of the N.Z.R.S.A. to lend full co-operation to the appeal.