POPPY DAY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19033, 10 June 1924, Page 5

POPPY DAY

DISCUSSED BY R.S.A. CONFERENCE PRESENT SYSTEM TO CONTINUE. (Per Press Association). CHRISTCHURCH, June 9. Poppy Day was under discussion at the R.S.A. Conference to-night. Remits were received from Auckland, Wellington and Otago in regard to a number of recommendations. Both Mr R. B. Bell and Mr E. F. Andrews spoke against a suggestion that Poppy Day should be held on or about Armistice Day. Rev. J. McCrae said poppies and Anzac Day seemed to go together. People liked to buy poppies and wear them on Anzac Day, and if Poppy Day was altered to Armistice Day sales of poppies would go down by 50 per cent. Mr W. E. Leadley said Christchurch had a splendid record in regard to Anzac Day celebrations, and the poppy played a prominent part each year. He moved that the custom be not interfered with.

Mr R. B. Jacobs said he could not see any connection between Poppy Day and Anzac Day. It seemed wrong to benefit financially by appealing to people’s sentiments. It' seemed a demoralising thing for the R.S.A. to “parade its bones” and then ask for financial assistance. If Poppy Day was to be continued he hoped it would be disassociated from Anzac Day.

Mr Leadley’s motion, “That the arrangement of Poppy Day as at present be not interfered with,” was carried. It was decided that local associations determine the specific distribution of the proceeds of Poppy Day, special attention to be devoted to the relief of unemployment and the New Zealand Veterans’ Home, Auckland.