CHRISTMAS SEAL

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 140, 10 December 1929, Page 12

CHRISTMAS SEAL

HEALTHIER CHILD LIFE

cTO STAMP OUT TUBERCULOSIS"

The Christmas Seal, a combined postage and anti-tuberculosis stamp, will be issued at all post-offices to-morrow. The central feature, as will be seen from the illustration, is a New Zealand nurse in uniform, with a Maori border on each side. The colour of the stamp is red. The words "Help to Stamp Out Tuberculosis" appear on the stamp as an indication of the purpose to which the proceeds will be applied. As has been stated in "The Post," it is proposed that the proceeds of the appeal in the first instance shall be devoted to the establishment of health camps for under-nourished or delicate

children, on and for children who have been contacts with cases of tuberculosis. For a large number of affected children, their main hope, in medical opinion, lies in removal from their present environment for a time at least. The results of health camps already held have amply demonstrated what can be done by a simple regime of adequate rest, fresh air, sunshine, and proper feeding. The health camps, as already stated, will be under medical supervision.

It is believed, states the Secretary of the General Post Office, that most people will welcome the opportunity of assisting in some small way towards brightening the lives and improving the health of the children whom it is proposed to benefit. The hope is expressed that business firms in particular will use the stamps on at least a portion of their correspondence. Children are, medical authorities state, most susceptible to tuberculosis, and require protection from it. It is eminently a preventable disease, and preventive measures are therefore a grave responsibility on tho community. No one can remain indifferent to the need for fighting tuberculosis, responsible as it is for so much suffering. Few are too poor to give practical aid by buying a few Christmas stamps. Every gift, card, or letter of goodwill posted for the Christmas season will surely be twice blest, and will carry with it | some help towards healthier and hapI pier child-life.