Health Stamps On Sale From October 2 In Whakatane

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 96, 15 September 1950, Page 5

Health Stamps On Sale From October 2 In Whakatane

Health Stamps will' be on isale this year as from October 2 and as is usual, specially printed First Day Covers will be available from that date. Philatelic Societies and schools may obtain the covers earlier than that date.

Last year’s campaign was the most successful one to date and the amount handed over to the Health Camps from Whakatane sales was £IOB 15s.

The history of the Health Stamp is full of romance. Although it originated over 40 years ago in Denmark and has since been used in many countries, it has remained for New Zealand to bring the system into the scheme and establish well equipped Health Camps, financed chiefly by the sale of Health Stamps. The movement in the first place was a private one brought into being through the efforts of a few public spirited men and women who saw that there were some children in urgent need of treatment in a camp rather than in a hospital. Camps were established and they instituted a routine that included a wholesome and tranquil environment proper food, rest and exercise, fresh air and sunshine.

The results have been amazing and the children return to their homes brighter, heavier, taller and full of enthusiasm and the joy of living. Last year about a dozen children went to the Gisborne Health Camp from Whakatane. There are many more who could profit from the treatment- if room could be found. At present the admission is confined to children of school age. The Whakatane District Nurse would like to see the camps open to children just below school age. Quite a few children are found who need a term in a Health Camp as a preliminary to the adventure of first attending school. Health Camps are now a National Institution. They have proved their worth beyond doubt and it 'is to be hoped that this year finance will be available to enable them to expand. In the past the bulk of the work of selling the stamps has been done by the Post Office ‘ and the loqal Chamber of Commerce. These two bodies will continue to provide the energy and it is hoped that the people will respond with enthusiasm. Health Camps operating as they do and making little demands upon the Government are perhaps one of our most valuable investments in preventative medicine. We must not lose sight of the fact that there are children who need our assistance and if we buy health stamps even as we may give a cup of cold water, it cannot go unrewarded.

In the past citizens and businessmen have been generous. If this year they decide to be still more generous, in such a worthy cause and buy still more Health Stamps, only the office boy who has to lick the stamps will be sorry. -