THE BEST GIFT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2612, 6 November 1915, Page 6

THE BEST GIFT

WHAT OUR SOLDIERS APPRECIATE MOST TOBACCO AND CIGARETTES "People can hardly. realise tlie importance of sending plenty of tobacco and material for cigarettes to the. men at the front," said wi officer who returned to Wellington. He expressed the opinion that while all comforts were greatly appreciated, tobacco was the most welcome present of all.

The abovo is no isolated opinion. Tho same thing is heard in all directions amongst returned soldiers, and it is •constantly cropping up in letters from men at the front. AVe havo published some of these letters from time to time, and more especially those from grateful recipients of tobacco or cigarettes /subscribed to .through tho Dominion Gift Tobacco Fund.

Wo would direct special attention to this fund at the present juncture, for a special effort is being made in connection therewith to ensure a heavy dispatch of tobacco and cigarettes to our boys at the front in timo for Christmas and New Year. Through the gonevosity of tho British Empire Trading Co., Ltd., who interested themselves in the matter early in the war, we wero enabled to utilise tho donations forwarded up to last Christmas to the best advantage, and 6ome 1100 pounds of Capstan Navy Out tobacco wero distributed amongst our troops in Egypt as New Year gifts. Major-General-God-ley acknowledged the delivery of this lot of tobacco in the following letter: — Headquarters, N.Z. and Australian Division, 23rd May, 1915. .N.Z.Q.B. 201. The General Manager, , The British Empire Trading Co., Ltd., Wellington, N.Z. Sir,—l have to acknowledge the receipt ,of tho gift of eleven cases (11001b.) of .Capstan Navy Cut Tobacco which was so generously subscribed for the people of New Zealand through The Dominion Newspaper, Wellington. The tobacco was distributed among the New Zealand troops and hospitals, and was highly appreciated by them.. ■ Will you kindly convey my thanks on behalf of the New Zealand Ex-, petitionary Force to the subscribers of The Dominion newspaper and: your board for this most suitable gift-, and for the kind thought which prompted them to send it, and for tho interest and trouble you have taken in the matter. . Yours faithfully, (Sgd.) A. J. GODLEY, , Major-Gencral Commanding, ' N.Z. and Australian Division. Major-General Godley and- a number of the recipients of tho tobacco also wrote -to The Dominion expressing their appreciation of the gift, and their letters; were published at . the time. I Now a special effort is being made for tho coming Christmas and New Year season. It should bo borne in mind that the money subscribed to this fund is, owing to the liberality of the British Empire Trading Co., expended so as to juekl far better ..results than could possibly be obtained by private individual effort; The company supplies the tobacco at approximately 2Jd. per oz., and the cigarettes (Three Castles) at about 2d. x«r packet. And,, in addition, every penny is spent in the actual purchase of. the goods, all charges connected with freight and delivery being generously borne by the company. Tho result of this is that every half-crown contributed to . the fund moans 100 cigarettes and 4oz. of tobacco for distribution amongst New Zealanders at the front. Each package will also contain a printed slip, statiag that it is a gift presented by tho people of New Zealand,.

, The response already made in the way of subscriptions to tiny fund, which is styled, the "New Zealand Expeditionary Force Gift Tobacco Fund," has been liberal, but it is hoped to round it off handsomely so that an adequate supply of tobacco and cigarottes may be sent and not one of the large body of New Zealanders at the front overlooked. It is a great opportunity for those who wish to do something to show their.appreciation of what the splendid fellows at the front have done and are doing for us, for, as mentioned above, nothing is likely to be more welcome to themand the' printed greetings conveyed with each, package will be a cheering reminder to the men that our thoughts arc'still with them..

All subscriptions received will he acknowledged ill the columns of IThe Dominion,