ROYAL MEMORIAL

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 128, 1 June 1937, Page 11

ROYAL MEMORIAL

MR. FRASER'S APPEAL

KING'S APPROVAL

A.. final appeal for support for the | King George V Memorial Fund, which closes on Thursday, was made by the Acting Prime Minister (the Hon. P. Fraser) last evening, when he con-' eluded the series of national broadcasts that have been-made during'the appeal in New Zealand. In-conclusion, Mr. Fraser quoted a sentence from a message received from the private secretary, to King George VI, in which his Majesty stated that the memorial proposed could not be bettered. "The fund was opened by the Prime Minister (the Kt. Hon. M. J. Savage) on March 22, on the eve of his departure for England," said Mr. Fraser, "and on his behalf I wish to thank the people of New Zealand for the wonderful manner in which -they have resporided to his appeal t The results have been excellent, and if we all make one final effort between now and June 3, the official closing date of the appeal, we will be abe to place the children's health camp movement on a basis that will excel the most optimistic ■expectations. " i ' . "Never has an appeal been more truly national. The fund has been supported by people in every walk of life, and the success of this campaign demonstrates the deep concern .that the citizens of this country have for the welfare of the less fortunate children as well as the affection which they shared with those of other parts of the British Commonwealth of Nations for the late King. LATE KING'S CONCERN. "New Zealand's memorial to King George V will not only perpetuate his memory, but also sponsor a cause that was the late King's constant concern .—the welfare of the children. This fine attribute of his character is also being fittingly commemorated by the British Memorial Fund, which will be devoted to the establishment of playing fields, and the recent appeal for support for this fund by Lord Dawson of Perm, who was King George's physician, closed with the following words: — "'King George fait that the ..future of the country lay with youth; that youth for. their own training needed well-equipped open spaces, where they could gain strength of lung and limb, strive in friendly rivalry, an*d learn how to play the game. How.true was this vision—for as time goes on, it will be found that the school which teaches health, the hospital which restores health,- and the open space which makes for health, are all part of one great conception.' - "Those words could be applied with equal force to our own appeal. Any iund which has for its objective the promotion of health and happiness among the children of the nation must go straight to the hearts of all, and that is the reason why the health camp movement of the Dominion has been so generously supported since its inauguration in 1919. The movement has made a direct appeal to the deep humanitarian instincts of the New Zealand people, and by voluntary efforts they have brought the blessed boon of health to thousands of children who might have lived a life of misery or suffering.,: ■■•.:•• :. ■'■;■■-' ' ■-■■-= ■*■•■ ■■' : ' A POSITIVE POLICY. "The children's health camp movement has become an integral part of a positive policy in the matter of health—a policy that not only safeguards against disease; but actually promotes good health. The people of this country are living longer than their forefathers, but we must .make sure that those years are worth living, and life to be worth living must be healthy and vigorous. We have not only to conquer disease, but also help our people, especially the children, who are the foundation of the generations to come, to become fit and keep fit. It is in. this work that the health camps are playing such a vital part, and with the establishment of permanent camps adequately equipped and staffed "those children who need the. physical and mental stimulus of fresh air and sunshine under the control of skilled medical and social workers will be provided for in a manner that has not hitherto been 'possible. These permanent health camps will crown the wonderful voluntary efforts of the past and at the same time they will be a worthy memorial to a great King. > "I earnestly commend this appeal to you all. If you have not given yet, you have yet a chance to swell.the fund in the centre in which you live. "In conclusion, let me repeat the message received^; by his Excellency the Governor-General (Lord ■ Galway) from the private secretary of our present King. He wrote'as follow,s:— j

"'The King thinks that your proposed memorial in the form of a children's health movement could not bo bettered. . . . '"