ALWAYS WELCOME

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2902, 14 October 1916, Page 10

ALWAYS WELCOME

THE GIFT WHICH OUR SOLDIERS APPRECIATE

A CHANCE FOR ALL-TO SHARE Thero.is at Tee Dominion .office a collection' of signatures,, thousands in nnmbor, scrawled on- postcards,," dirt-" begrimed,- and , disfigured by rough handling, but. eloquent of appreciation and thanks. They 'were sent from the fighting lines, the training camp's,- and. the-hospitals and -, tho convalescent, homes overseas, wherever New : Zca-. land's soldiers happened to bo stationed, last;' Christma'stide . and" .New Tear.; Eaoh. eonteyed a,' inessage ; of 'thanks to' contributors "to ''.The Dominion ' GiftTobacco and Cigarette Fund for our troops abroad. Many of the messages we published as. received—all expressed the greatest satisfaction at tho nature of the gift, and appreciation of the kindly thought which prompted it. "No gift," messago after message read, "could have been more welcomo to us." The gifts, as our readers know, were "Three. Castles" cigarettes and "Capstan" tobacco, which Messrs. W. I), and H. 0. Wills, by arrangement with Tite Dominion, supply at a speciallylow rate, each package or tin being accompanied by a printed' slip conveying tho intimation that the gift is from the people of New Zealand. _ Christmas time is coming round again, and wo are again inviting subscriptions to the fund, so that "our bovs" may again be cheercd and solaced by thel welcome "smokes" which they appreciated so much last year. Already many donations have been received. It is astonishing how touch can bo done with half-arcrown,. while a £5 note will' supply a whole trench full of the.men who are covering themselves and their country with glory at the Sommo front. Last year over one million cigarettes were sent, and something like, 5000 pounds of tobacco. This vcar thero are more men .to prorido.gifts, for, and,it may be hoped that those who subscribed' so generously last year, and many more who. now'know how-'grateful, the : men aro for these gifts, will send along something to help. The sooner subscriptions are sent now, tho better. Christmas is drawing near, and arrangements are already in train with the . British Empire Trading Company to ensure delivery of the gifts at tho proper season.